Used regularly, NSAIDs, acetaminophen appear to lower PSA levels

Regular NSAID use may reduce serum PSA levels, but it is not clear whether this is a protective factor against the development of prostate cancer or if the lower PSA levels are masking possible prostate injury and reducing cancer detection, according to researchers from the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York.

The researchers conducted an analysis of the NHANES data to determine the relationship between PSA levels and the use of NSAIDs and acetaminophen. They obtained PSA levels for 1,319 men aged older than 40 years, and performed linear regression analysis, while adjusting for age, race, education, smoking status, BMI, inflammatory conditions and heart disease.

PSA levels were lower among regular users of NSAIDs, who made up 19.8% of the population, or acetaminophen (1.3% of population), compared with those who did not use either drug. In the NSAIDs group, PSA levels were 10% lower than the levels of those not on the drug (P=.038), according to the researchers.

Among acetaminophen users, PSA levels were 24% lower than in those not taking the drug. However, men taking both NSAIDs and acetaminophen regularly (1% of the study population) had 80% higher PSA levels than those who took neither drug (P=.24).

Cancer. 2008;doi:10.1002/cncr.23806