Patterns of Clinical Response to PSA Elevation in American Indian/Alaska Native Men: a Multi-center Pilot Study
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Objective: To assess clinical treatment patterns and response times among American Indian/Alaska Native men with a newly elevated PSA.
Methods: We retrospectively identified men ages 50-80 receiving care in one of three tribally-operated clinics in Northern Minnesota, one medical center in Alaska, and who had an incident PSA elevation (> 4 ng/ml) in a specified time period. A clinical response was considered timely if it was documented as occurring within 90 days of the incident PSA elevation.
Results: Among 82 AI/AN men identified from medical records with an incident PSA elevation, 49 (60%) received a timely clinical response, while 18 (22%) had no documented clinical response.
Conclusions: One in five AI/AN men in our study had no documented clinical action following an incident PSA elevation. Although a pilot study, these findings suggest the need to improve the documentation, notification, and care following an elevated PSA at clinics serving AI/AN men.
Batai K, Sanderson P, Joshweseoma L, Burhansstipanov L, Russell D, Joshweseoma L Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022; 19(11).
PMID: 35682130 PMC: 9180909. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19116546.