Patterns of clinical response to PSA elevation in american indian/alaska native men: A multi- center pilot study

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.