PSA Testing and Its Relationship with Social Deprivation

Abstract

Objective:

To determine whether social deprivation influenced the rate of PSA testing per head of male population within the catchment area of our institution.

Patients and methods:

We retrospectively collated all PSA tests performed by general practitioners within an 18-month period in the catchment area of our institution (n = 10,695). PSA testing frequency within each lower super output area (LSOA) within the catchment area of our hospital was determined. The social deprivation of each LSOA was assessed using the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2007 index (IMD). Using these data, the percentage of men undergoing PSA tests in each LSOA was calculated as was the percentage of positive tests amongst those tested. Logistic regression analysis was performed with age and IMD 2007 scores as covariates.

Results:

Increasing IMD 2007 score was independently associated with a decreased likelihood of PSA testing (odds ratio 0.976 (95% confidence interval 0.959–0.994) p = 0.008). There was no association between IMD 2007 score and the rate of positive tests (odds ratio 0.997 (0.984–1.009) p = 0.60).

Conclusions:

Increasing levels of social deprivation demonstrate a small but significant association with a lower incidence of PSA testing in the catchment area of our institution. © 2011 British Association of Urological Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.