Profile of endocrinological derangements affecting PSA values in patients with COPD

Background/Aim: Chronic obstractive pulmonary disease (COPD) in men has been associated with testosterone deficiency, known as the late-onset hypogonadism. Prostate cancer becomes more prevalent when testosterone values decline in males. We sought to determine endocrinological derangements that may affect PSA values in male patients with COPD. Materials and Methods: A total of 69 male patients with COPD and 82 healthy volunteers were divided into subgroups according to: their age: (i) =60 years and (ii) >60 years; or disease severity: (i) FEV1<50% and (ii) FEV1=50% predicted. Results: There was a significant reduction in total and free testosterone in patients with COPD. Patients with COPD aged >60 years had significantly lower free PSA compared to the control group. Conclusion: Alterations of the male hormonal status in COPD are related with older age (>60 years) and poorer lung function (FEV1<50% predicted). This may have implications for the use of the PSA-based screening tests in the elderly male population with COPD.