A retrospective review

Objectives: To review the utilization of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing in Winnipeg, a major Canadian city, and to compare PSA testing rates between Winnipeg and Calgary, another major Canadian city of comparable size. Methods: PSA testing results were reviewed by year and age group. We focused our studies in years 2011 and 2016, for which census demographic data are available. Results: In Winnipeg, the PSA testing rates (patients with one or two PSA tests divided by the male population) showed a declining trend over years from 2008 to 2017. For almost all age groups, PSA testing rates in 2016 decreased in comparison to those in 2011. For age older than 40 years, the relative percentage decreases were 14% to 20%. In 2011, Winnipeg PSA testing rates were consistently higher than those in Calgary for all age groups. For age older than 40 years, the relative percentage differences were 36% to 50%. In addition, 41% and 40% of patients in Winnipeg who underwent PSA testing were younger than 50 years or older than 69 years in 2011 and 2016, respectively. Conclusions: PSA testing utilization may be falling short of optimal rates. There is a need to reinforce the optimal use of clinical recommendations.