HBsAg定量在慢性乙型肝炎患者干扰素抗病毒治疗中的变化及临床意义

目的研究HBsAg定量在慢性乙型肝炎患者干扰素抗病毒治疗期间的变化及临床意义。 方法收集43例接受IFN-α治疗的HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者为研究对象。分别在治疗前和治疗后1、3和6个月时定量检测患者血清HBsAg水平;并同时监测其HBV DNA、HBeAg、HBcAb及ALT的水平。 结果43例患者治疗前和治疗后1、3、6个月时血清HBsAg水平呈下降趋势,差异具有统计学意义（P = 0.029）;治疗1个月时较治疗前有所下降,但差异无统计学意义（t =-1.12、P = 0.304）;治疗3个月和6个月时均较治疗前显著下降,差异具有统计学意义（t =-2.71、P = 0.015,t =-2.71、P = 0.010）;其他不同时间点间比较差异均无统计学意义。IFN-α治疗6个月时患者血清HBsAg下降> 0.5 log₁₀IU/ml组患者ALT复常率高于下降< 0.5 log₁₀IU/ml组,差异具有统计学意义（χ² =5.536、P = 0.019）;下降> 0.5 log₁₀IU/ml组HBeAg阴转率高于下降< 0.5 log₁₀IU/ml组,差异具有统计学意义（χ² = 4.226、P = 0.040）;下降> 0.5 log₁₀IU/ml组HBeAg血清学转换率高于下降< 0.5 log₁₀IU/ml组,差异具有统计学意义（χ² = 4.226、P = 0.040）。 结论HBsAg定量在慢性乙型肝炎患者IFN-α治疗早期呈下降趋势。HBsAg定量在慢性乙型肝炎IFN-α治疗早期下降迅速的患者ALT复常率、HBeAg阴转率及HBeAg血清学转换率均高于下降缓慢者。     

Circulating levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MCP-1 are increased in haemodialysis patients: association with inflammation, dyslipidaemia, and vascular events.

BACKGROUND: Increased levels of circulating adhesion molecules and chemokines have been reported in haemodialysis (HD) patients but the influence of the HD membranes on their secretion, as well as their pathophysiological implications, remains largely unknown. METHODS: Circulating levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were measured by immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 81 HD patients (45 male, mean age 57+/-13 years) and 35 normal subjects. All patients had been stabilized on renal replacement therapy for >3 months and were free of active infection. Thirty-three patients (40.7%) were routinely dialysed with modified cellulose membranes and 48 patients (59.3%) were dialysed with polysulfone membranes. Blood samples were taken directly from the arteriovenous fistula immediately before and at the end of a routine HD session. RESULTS: Pre-dialysis levels were significantly elevated in HD patients compared with controls (ICAM-1 515+/-177 vs 238+/-664 ng/ml, P<0.0001; VCAM-1 2107+/-648 vs 1012+/-115 ng/ml, P<0.0001; MCP-1 427+/-148 vs 125+/-42 pg/ml, P<0.0001). The HD session resulted in a significant increase in the levels of all three molecules measured (515+/-177 vs 679+/-187 ng/ml, P<0.0001; 2107+/-648 vs 2662+/-800 ng/ml, P<0.0001; 427+/-148 vs 567+/-153 pg/ml, P<0.0001, respectively). There was no difference in pre- or post-dialysis levels of the above molecules between patients routinely dialysed with either modified cellulose or polysulfone membranes. MCP-1 levels had a positive correlation with ICAM-1 levels (r=0.41, P<0.0005). VCAM-1 levels had a negative correlation with HDL levels (r=-0.30, P<0.01) and were significantly elevated in patients with HDL <35 mg/dl compared with patients with HDL > or = 35 mg/dl (2300+/-606 vs 1890+/-633 ng/ml, P<0.005). Log-transformed exact C-reactive protein (CRP) values were significantly correlated with ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 levels (r=0.41, P<0.005 and r=0.43, P<0.005, respectively). In addition, compared with patients with normal CRP values, patients with elevated CRP had significantly increased levels of ICAM-1 (466+/-166 vs 580+/-172 ng/ml, P<0.005). Patients with cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, or peripheral vascular diseases had significantly increased serum CRP and ICAM-1 levels compared with patients with no evidence of vascular disease (19.2+/-12.9 vs 7.9+/-11.8 mg/l, P<0.001 and 608+/-189 vs 474+/-155 ng/ml, P<0.005 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Serum levels of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MCP-1 are increased in HD patients and probably result from either inadequate clearance or enhanced synthesis and release. HD session resulted in a significant increase of the above molecule levels but the exact mechanism(s) responsible for these alterations are yet to be fully elucidated. Increased levels of adhesion molecules are associated with inflammation, dyslipidaemia, and cardiovascular events. However, the potential link between these processes and its clinical significance warrants further investigation.     

乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原清除的相关因素研究进展

血清乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原（HBsAg）阳性是乙型肝炎病毒（HBV）感染的标志,而HBsAg清除是慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）最接近临床治愈的一个指标。HBsAg清除受宿主、病毒及抗病毒药物等因素的影响。该文就近年来关于CHB患者HBsAg清除的相关因素的研究进展作了综述。     

Efficacy of the accelerated hepatitis B vaccination schedule used in haemodialysis patients post-exposure to virus: a single-centre experience.

BACKGROUND: The hepatitis B (HB) vaccination regime currently recommended for use in the UK for both preventative and post-exposure purposes is the accelerated regime, although there have been no recent reports of its efficacy. This observational study reports on the response rate achieved and longevity of protection conferred with this regime in a large number of haemodialysis patients following an episode of HB exposure. METHODS: One-hundred and five patients received primary vaccination (vaccine administered at 0, 1 and 2 months). Eighty-six completed the regime, receiving a booster dose at month 12. Measuring antibodies to HB surface antigen (anti-HBS) 6 weeks after receiving the third and fourth doses assessed patients' response. Seventy-seven patients subsequently had anti-HBs measured at month 24. RESULTS: The response rate (anti-HBS >10 mIU/ml) to primary vaccination and the complete regime was 33 and 73%, respectively. Non-European patients responded better to primary vaccination than Europeans (P=0.014). Those receiving steroids responded less well to the complete vaccination regime (P=0.007). Patient's age, sex, renal diagnosis, diabetes mellitus, time on dialysis, dialysis adequacy, erythropoietin dose, hepatitis C or body weight did not affect response rates. By month 24, 24 responders (44%) had lost seroprotection. Antibody levels achieved with vaccination by transient responders was significantly lower than persistent responders. No patients became HB surface antigen positive during the 2-year study. CONCLUSION: Reserving the accelerated vaccination to the post-exposure scenario will expose many more patients to the risk of HB cross-infection than if used prophylactically. Regular monitoring is required if seroprotection is to be maintained.     

The evaluation of immune responses to hepatitis B vaccination in diabetic and non-diabetic haemodialysis patients and the use of tetanus toxoid

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether haemodialysis (HD) patients suffering from diabetes mellitus could be considered at risk for the development of the protective antibodies to hepatitis B (HB) vaccination and, to evaluate the effectiveness of tetanus toxoid (TT) administrated 2 days before HB vaccination. Methods: Forty-nine HD patients were divided into two groups: group A (19 diabetic patients) and group B (30 non-diabetic patients). A dose of 40 μg recombinant HB vaccine was injected intramuscularly to the patients at 0, 1, 2 and 6 months. Results: After the completion of the course, the patients in group A were found to have a lower protective antibody rates than the patients in group B (57.8% vs 70%) (P > 0.05). After the administration of additional booster doses during 12 months, the protective antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAb) levels were detected in 78.9% and 96.6% of the patients in group A and group B, respectively (P > 0.05). The patients not having protective HBsAb levels were administered TT and HB vaccines, and after course, all of them have produced protective HBsAb levels. Conclusion: The present study showed that diabetic patients on HD may carry a greater risk of not seroconverting than non-diabetic ones for antibody response to HB vaccination. The use of TT 2 days before HB vaccination may be a useful and effective method of enhancing the immune response to HB vaccination, especially in the patients with diabetes mellitus on HD.     

Elevated serum levels of soluble adhesion molecules predict death in pre-dialysis patients: association with malnutrition, inflammation, and cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, malnutrition, and increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines are common features in patients with chronic renal failure, and contribute to the high mortality rate observed in these patients. A diverse group of soluble cellular adhesion molecules (CAM) (sVCAM-1, sICAM-1 and sE-selectin) are expressed on the surface of vascular endothelial cells in response to pro-inflammatory cytokines and may play an important role in the atherogenic process. METHODS: Serum levels of sVCAM-1, sICAM-1 (n=87) and sE-selectin (n=71) were analysed in a cohort of 88 patients (50+/-1 years) with chronic renal failure. The presence of malnutrition (subjective global assessment (SGA) and serum albumin), inflammation (C-reactive protein (CRP), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and serum hyaluronan), and cardiovascular disease (CVD) were assessed at a time-point close to the start of dialysis treatment (GFR 7+/-1 ml/min). Blood lipid parameters were also assessed. RESULTS: Significant correlations were observed between Log high-sensitivity CRP (hsCRP) and sVCAM-1 (R=0.39; P<0.01) and sICAM-1 (R=0.47; P:<0.001) levels but not between Log hsCRP and sE-selectin levels in 60 patients examined with a hsCRP assay. Also serum concentrations of Log hyaluronan correlated significantly to sVCAM-1 (R=0.34; P<0.01) and sICAM-1 (R=0.29; P<0.05) levels. Malnourished patients (SGA>1) had elevated serum concentrations of sVCAM-1 (1436+/-94 vs. 1105+/-53 ng/ml; P<0.01) compared to well-nourished patients (SGA 1). Patients with clinical signs of CVD (n=26) had elevated serum levels of sICAM-1 (282+/-18 vs. 242+/-9 ng/ml; P<0.05) compared to 61 patients without signs of CVD. Plasma Log lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) levels correlated significantly with sVCAM-1 (R=0.30; P<0.01). Survival analysis by the Cox regression model showed that elevated sICAM-1 was, independent of age, SGA, CVD, and Log CRP, significantly related to an increased mortality rate. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated serum concentrations of soluble adhesion molecules are found in pre-dialysis patients who are malnourished, inflamed, and have signs of cardiovascular disease. These data also suggest that sICAM-1 is an independent predictor of mortality in pre-dialysis patients. Further studies are needed to determine if inflammation causes accelerated atherogenesis via effects on soluble adhesion molecules or if elevated serum levels of soluble adhesion molecules are merely markers of endothelial activation in patients with chronic renal failure.     

Hepatitis B core‐related antigen to detect hepatitis B virus (HBV) reactivation in heart transplant recipients with past HBV infection: A pilot study

Hepatitis B core‐related antigen (HBcrAg) has been proposed as a new marker of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication. We analyzed HBcrAg dynamics in 15 heart transplant recipients with active or prior HBV infection and correlated it with quantitative (QT)‐HBsAg and HBV‐DNA pre‐ and post‐transplant. Serum HBcrAg was detected in HBsAg/HBV‐DNA‐positive subjects but not in recipients with past HBV infection. HBcrAg levels correlated with QT‐HBsAg in pre‐ and post‐transplant samples. In prior HBV infection, HBcrAg levels were unrelated to HBV‐DNA positivity. In heart transplant recipients with prior HBV infection, HBcrAg does not correlate with viral replication and cannot be applied to detect HBV reactivation during follow‐up.     

聚乙二醇化干扰素α-2b联合核苷（酸）类似物治疗低水平乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原慢性乙型肝炎患者的临床疗效及影响因素

目的评估聚乙二醇化干扰素α-2b（PegIFNα-2b）联合核苷（酸）类似物（NAs）治疗低水平乙型肝炎病毒表面抗原（HBsAg）慢性乙型肝炎（CHB）患者的临床疗效及影响因素分析。 方法本研究为前瞻性、非随机对照的真实世界研究,选取2018年1月至2020年5月东部战区总医院收治的使用NAs治疗1年以上,血清HBsAg ≤ 1 500 IU/ml、HBV DNA < 50 IU/ml的CHB患者,于原NAs治疗基础上联合PegIFNα-2b治疗,收集患者治疗0周、12周、24周、36周及48周丙氨酸氨基转移酶（ALT）、天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶（AST）、HBV血清标志物以及HBV DNA定量等。根据停止注射PegIFNα-2b时HBsAg是否阴转,分为治愈组（13例）和未愈组（32例）,运用广义估计方程比较两组患者HBsAg、ALT和AST水平;多因素Logistic回归模型分析HBsAg清除影响因素并绘制受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）,评估相关影响因素对HBsAg清除的预测价值。 结果共纳入CHB患者45例,完成PegIFNα-2b治疗48周患者共21例,其中临床治愈10例（治愈率为47.6%）;提前终止PegIFNα-2b治疗患者共24例,其中临床治愈3例（治愈率为12.5%）。治愈组和未愈组患者HBsAg定量较基线水平均显著下降（Z =－2.201、P = 0.028;Z = －3.17、P = 0.011）。入组48周时,治愈组患者ALT水平与基线差异无统计学意义（Z =－1.412、P = 0.158）;AST水平与基线差异有统计学意义（Z =－2.90、P = 0.004）。未愈组患者ALT和AST水平与基线差异均无统计学意义（Z =－1.97、P = 0.122,Z = －1.05、P = 0.421）。广义估计方程分析组间比较结果显示,调整年龄及性别后,两组患者在入组48周时,ALT和AST水平差异无统计学意义（χ² = 0.837、P = 0.36,χ² = 0.005、P = 0.945）,而HBsAg差异具有显著统计学意义（χ² = 24.161、P < 0.001）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示,基线HBsAg（OR = 0.073、95%CI：0.007~0.803、P = 0.032）,年龄（OR = 0.883、95%CI：0.781~0.998、P = 0.047）,PegIFNα-2b使用疗程（OR = 1.027、95%CI：1.001~1.053、P = 0.038）均为影响48周HBsAg清除的因素。基线HBsAg、年龄联合PegIFNα-2b疗程对HBsAg清除预测的ROC曲线面积为0.978（95%CI：0.883~0.993）,敏感性和特异性分别为96.44%和88.95%。 结论PegIFNα-2b联合NAs对低水平HBeAg CHB患者具有较好的临床疗效。基线HBsAg、年龄联合PegIFNα-2b疗程对48周HBsAg清除具有一定预测价值。     

Differential expression and significance of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine modification in hepatitis B virus carriers and patients with liver cirrhosis and liver cancer

BACKGROUND The relationship between hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)-positive carrier status and liver cancer has been extensively studied. However, the epigenetic changes that occur during progression from HBsAg-positive carrier status or cirrhosis to liver cancer are unknown. The epigenetic modification of DNA hydroxymethylation is critical in tumor development. Further, 5-hydroxymethylcytosine(5hmC) is an important base for DNA demethylation and epigenetic regulation. It is also involved in...     

HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎患者HBV前C/BCP突变/准种与HBeAg和HBV DNA的关系

目的探讨HBeAg阳性慢性乙型肝炎（eP-CHB）HBV前C/BCP突变/准种及其与HBeAg、HBV DNA水平的关系。 方法采用断面研究对2016年1月至2018年12月就诊于首都医科大学附属北京佑安医院的220例eP-CHB患者进行前C/BCP突变检测，其中24例患者进行前C/BCP区扩增、克隆，同步检测血清HBeAg和HBV DNA水平，分析前C/BCP突变/准种的发生情况及其与HBeAg和HBV DNA水平的关系。 结果220例eP-CHB患者中，HBV前C/BCP总突变率为70.0%（154/220），前C/BCP共同突变率为18.2%（40/220），前C突变率为30.9%（68/220），BCP突变率为57.3%（126/220）。HBV DNA≥ 5 lgIU/ml患者上述4种突变检出率均高于HBV DNA< 5 lgIU/ml者，其中前C/BCP总突变和BCP突变患者差异有统计学意义（χ² = 5.809、P = 0.016，χ² = 5.081、P = 0.024）。HBeAg水平越低（< 500 COI、500～1 000 COI和> 1 000 COI共3组患者比较），以上4种突变检出率越高，差异有统计学意义（χ² = 31.738、17.291、16.263、22.164，P均< 0.001）。HBV DNA≥ 5 lgIU/ml患者中，HBeAg水平越低，以上4种突变检出率越高，差异亦均有统计学意义（χ² = 40.503、19.654、16.727、29.119，P < 0.001）。准种检测中，前C区高突变组患者HBeAg水平低于低突变组，差异有统计学意义（t = 2.230、P = 0.017），前C、BCP高突变组与低突变组间HBV DNA水平差异无统计学意义（t = 0.624、P = 0.462，t = 0.893、P = 0.317）。 结论eP-CHB患者中仍存在广泛的前C/BCP突变。高HBV DNA、低HBeAg表达者，前C和BCP突变的发生率较高；前C区突变株在准种中比率高者更影响HBeAg的表达。推测前C/BCP突变可能是eP-CHB出现低HBeAg、高HBV DNA，并导致抗病毒治疗停药后易复发的原因。     

Response to the hepatitis B virus vaccine in haemodialysis patients: influence of malnutrition and its importance as a risk factor for morbidity and mortality

OBJECTIVE.: To assess if malnutrition influences the response to the hepatitisB virus vaccine in haemodialysis patients and whether this correlateswith morbidity and mortality in these patients. DESIGN.: A 4-year prospective open study. SETTING.: Haemodialysis unit of a 434-bed University Hospital. PATIENTS.: Sixty-four patients with end-stage chronic renal failure onmaintenance haemodialysis. INTERVENTIONS.: Three-dose vaccination series with recombinant hepatitis B virusvaccine. MEASUREMENTS.: Antibody formation against the vaccine, predialysis serum urea,serum albumin and prealbumin, dialysis efficacy (Kt/V), proteincatabolic rate (PCR), arm muscle circumference, triceps skinfold,serum parathyroid hormone concentration, mortality and morbidity(hospital days per year of dialysis). RESULTS.: Increase in age negatively influences the formation of antibodies(P=0.01), whereas serum albumin (P=0.008) and predialysis bloodurea concentration (P=0.004) are positively correlated withthe formation of antibodies. Responders had significantly higherlevels of serum albumin and prealbumin and predialysis bloodurea than non-responders. The percentage of non-responders washigher (70%) in the group with predialysis blood urea concentrationbetween 90 and 125 mg/dl than in those with predialysis bloodurea concentrations between 176 and 225 mg/dl (14.2%). Patientswith serum albumin levels between 3 and 3.5 g/dl were non-respondersin a higher percentage (87.5%) than those with serum albuminlevels between 4.5 and 5 g/dl (18.8%). After a 4-year follow-up, survival was 20% higher in the respondergroup (P<0.05). Morbidity, expressed as hospital days peryear of haemodialysis, was markedly lower in the responder group(10.4±2 versus 32±14 days, P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS.: Malnutrition negatively influences the response to the hepatitisB virus vaccine in haemodialysis patients. Non-responders havehigher morbidity and mortality than responders, and thereforethe absence of response to the hepatitis B vaccine can be consideredas a risk factor in the haemodialysis population.     

Antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) and transaminase concentration in chronic haemodialysis patients: a study with second-generation assays

We used first- and second-generation assays such as Ortho I,Ortho 2 and 4-RIBA to define prevalence and nsk factors foranti-HCV antibodies in haemodialysed patients. Forty-nine (24%)subjects were found to be anti-HCV positive. Anti-HCV positivity was related to duration of dialysis and past or currentelevations of GOT and GPT; the frequency of transfused patientswas greater in HCV-positive than in HCV-negative subjects; therewere 31 patients (pre valence of 20%) with anti-HCV antibodiesamong non-transfused patients. These findings show that, testedby second-generation assays, HCV infection is detected morethan twice as commonly in haemodia lysis patients and may beresponsible for a significant proportion of liver disease inthis clinical setting Acquisition of hepatitis C virus by dialysispatients is not only through blood transfusions but also secondaryto hepatitis C virus presence within the unit itself.     

The incidence of prostate cancer in a screening population with a serum prostate specific antigen between 2.5 and 4.0 ng/ml: relation to biopsy strategy

PURPOSE: It has recently been suggested that the diagnostic threshold for the prostate specific antigen (PSA) assay be lowered to enhance prostate cancer detection. A 22% incidence of prostate cancer has been reported in men with PSA between 2.5 and 4.0 ng/ml. We designed a study to confirm this observation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Men who participated in our free early detection program and who had serum PSA between 2.5 and 4.0 ng/ml were asked to undergo prostate biopsy. Of 268 eligible men 151 (56%) agreed to participate in this free trial. All men underwent biopsy using an 11-core multisite directed biopsy scheme. All biopsy cores were color coded for location specificity and examined by 1 pathologist. RESULTS: Cancer was identified in 24.5% (37 of 151) of the men biopsied. The median age of men with cancer was 62 years (range 43 to 74). Conventional systematic sextant biopsies, which accounted for 6 of the 11 cores, detected 73.0% (27 of 37) of the cancers and the alternate site biopsies identified the remaining 10. Gleason score was 6 in 25 men, 3 + 4 in 5, 4 + 3 in 4 and 8 or greater in 3 (median Gleason score 6). There were 14 men who had 1 core positive for cancer, 9 had 2 and 14 had more than 2 (median number of positive cores 2). Of the 14 men with 1 positive core 11 had a less than 3 mm focus of cancer and 8 had only a positive alternate site biopsy. There were 11 cases of abnormal results on digital rectal examination, 5 of which were cancer, and 31 cases of abnormal results on ultrasonography, 13 of which were cancer. Median biological variability in PSA was +/-15% (range 0.4% to 440.0%). CONCLUSIONS: We found a significant incidence of cancer (24.5%, 37 of 51) in men with serum PSA between 2.5 and 4.0 ng/ml. In our study 67.6% of the detected cancers were significant based on the biopsy data. If the PSA threshold is lowered the conventional systematic sextant technique may be preferable to an extended strategy.     

Prostate specific antigen response to mitoxantrone and prednisone in patients with refractory prostate cancer: prognostic factors and generalizability of a multicenter trial to clinical practice

PURPOSE: We determine prostate specific antigen (PSA) response and durability, and prognostic factors associated with response and survival in patients with symptomatic hormone refractory prostate cancer treated with mitoxantrone and prednisone at a single institution. We then compare the results with those of a randomized phase III clinical trial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective review of all 133 patients treated with mitoxantrone and prednisone at Princess Margaret Hospital since 1994 was performed. PSA response and duration, and overall survival were determined as well as the influence of baseline factors on these outcome parameters. Results were compared to those for patients randomized to receive mitoxantrone and prednisone in the Canadian clinical trial which demonstrated palliative benefit of this regimen. RESULTS: Patients treated after trial closure had shorter survival (p = 0.003) but represented a poorer prognosis cohort. PSA response of the trial and post-trial cases was 34% and 28%, respectively (p = 0.36), and median duration of response was 118 and 175 days or greater, respectively. Factors predictive of PSA response in the non-trial cohort were longer time from diagnosis of prostate cancer (p = 0. 027) and higher baseline PSA (p = 0.013). Factors predictive of increased survival in both groups were younger age (p <0.04), better baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (p <0. 02), and higher hemoglobin (p 相似文献   

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) isoform p2PSA significantly improves the prediction of prostate cancer at initial extended prostate biopsies in patients with total PSA between 2.0 and 10 ng/ml: results of a prospective study in a clinical setting

Background

Total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA), ratio of free PSA (fPSA) to tPSA (%fPSA), and PSA density (PSAD) testing have a very low accuracy in the detection of prostate cancer (PCa). There is an urgent need for more accurate biomarkers.

Objective

To compare the diagnostic accuracy of PSA isoform p2PSA and its derivatives in determining the presence of PCa at initial biopsy with the accuracy of other predictors in patients with tPSA 2.0-10 ng/ml.

Design, setting, and participants

We conducted an observational prospective study in a real clinical setting of consecutive men with tPSA 2.0-10 ng/ml and negative digital rectal examination who were scheduled for prostate biopsy at a tertiary academic center.

Intervention

Outpatient transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies were performed according to a standardized institutional saturation scheme (18-22 cores).

Measurements

We determined the diagnostic accuracy of serum tPSA, %fPSA, PSAD, p2PSA, %p2PSA [(p2PSA/fPSA) × 100] and the Beckman Coulter Prostate Health Index (phi; [p2PSA/fPSA × √tPSA]).

Results and limitations

Overall, 107 of 268 patients (39.9%) were diagnosed with PCa at extended prostate biopsies. Statistically significant differences between patients with and without PCa were observed for age, prostate and transition zone volume, PSAD, %p2PSA, and phi (all p values < 0.05). In univariate accuracy analysis, phi and %p2PSA were the most accurate predictors of PCa (area under the curve: 75.6% and 75.7%, respectively), followed by transition zone volume (66%), prostate volume (65%), patient age (63%), PSAD (61%), %fPSA (58%), and tPSA (53%). In multivariate accuracy analyses, both phi (+11%) and %p2PSA (+10%) significantly improved the accuracy of established predictors in determining the presence of PCa at biopsy (p < 0.001). Although %p2PSA and phi were significantly associated with Gleason score (Spearman ρ: 0.303 and 0.387, respectively; p ≤ 0.002), they did not improve the prediction of Gleason score ≥7 PCa in multivariable accuracy analyses (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

In patients with a tPSA between 2.0 and 10 ng/ml, %p2PSA and phi are the strongest predictors of PCa at initial extended biopsies and are significantly more accurate than the currently used tests (tPSA, %fPSA, and PSAD) in determining the presence of PCa at biopsy.