ABSTRACT

Prostate gland found in men functions primarily to produce seminal fluid. The prostate gland is often inflammed and may lead to disorders such as prostatitis, benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer. This study was carried out to determine whether men in Aba, Abia State are affected by this disorder and the age groups that are more at risk of being affected. Blood samples were collected from enlisted subjects and serum levels of prostate specific antigen (PSA), prostate acid phosphatase (PAP), testosterone, urea and creative were evaluated. These parameters were used as predictive factors for prostate dysfunction. The study was carried out from Nov. — Dec. 2009 until a total of 225 men were tested. Results showed that for PSA there were increases in all the age groups when compared with the control age group (l.32nglml) with the highest mean value 5.3ng/ml in age group 73 - 80 years and more importantly the increase was significant (P<0.05) between the test subjects and control subjects. Prostate acid phosphatase showed a gradual increase from age group 40-80 years when compared with the control group but there were significant (P<0.05) increases only two age groups: 65-72 years (1.20± 0.78iuIL) and 73-80years (l.22±0.64i.uIL) when compared with control age group (0.56± 0.25i.uIL). Testosterone level on the other hand showed a significant (P<0.05) reduction between the age group 65-72 years (16± 0.67ugIL) when compared with the control age group. (4.59ngfmL) Urea results showed significant increase (P<0.05) in all the age group when compared with the control age group. Creatinine equally showed significant (P<.0.05) increase in all the age groups when compared with control age group. These significant increases in PSA, PAP and the resultant decrease in testosterone in the test subject suggest a possible high incidence of prostate disease such as prostatitis benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer in Aba necessitating for prostate disease screening for men above 40 years.