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Impact of the E uropean R andomized S tudy of S creening for P rostate C ancer ( ERSPC ) on prostate‐specific antigen ( PSA ) testing by D utch general practitioners
Author(s) -
Meer Saskia,
Kollen Boudewijn J.,
Hirdes Willem H.,
Steffens Martijn G.,
HoekstraWeebers Josette E.H.M.,
Nijman Rien M.,
Blanker Marco H.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1111/bju.12029
Subject(s) - prostate specific antigen , medicine , prostate , cancer
Objective To determine the impact of the E uropean R andomized S tudy of S creening for P rostate C ancer ( ERSPC ) publication in 2009 on prostate‐specific antigen ( PSA ) level testing by D utch general practitioners (GPs) in men aged ≥40 years.Materials and Methods Retrospective study with a D utch insurance company database (containing PSA test claims) and a large district hospital‐laboratory database (containing PSA ‐test results). The difference in primary PSA ‐testing rate as well as follow‐up testing before and after the ERSPC was tested using the chi‐square test with statistical significance at P < 0.05.Results Decline in PSA tests 4 months after ERSPC publication, especially for men aged ≥60 years. Primary testing as well as follow‐up testing decreased, both for PSA levels of <4 ng/mL as well as for PSA levels of 4–10 ng/mL . Follow‐up testing after a PSA level result of >10 ng/mL moderately increased ( P = 0.171). Referral to a urologist after a PSA level result of >4 ng/mL decreased slightly after the ERSPC publication ( P = 0.044).Conclusions After the ERSPC publication primary PSA testing as well as follow‐up testing decreased. Follow‐up testing seemed not to be adequate after an abnormal PSA result. The reasons for this remain unclear.