Association between Literacy, Compliance with Prostate Cancer Screening, and Cancer Aggressiveness: Results from a Brazilian Screening Study

The effect of health literacy on patient compliance in patients to whom prostate biopsies were recommended

BACKGROUND

Transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUS-Bx) is the gold standard diagnostic method for prostate cancer. In people with low health literacy, accurate and early diagnosis rates decrease, making it difficult to maintain health and compliance with treatment. In our study, we investigated how health literacy and sociocultural parameters affected compliance and awareness in patients with suspected prostate cancer, for whom TRUS-Bx was planned.

METHODS

In the study, 98 male patients aged 50-80 years, recommended for TRUS-Bx, were included in our study. The data including age, prostate-specific antigen, prostate volume, digital rectal examination findings, education leveland area of residence of the patients included in the study were recorded. Health Literacy Survey-Turkey- Questionnaire 47 and Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32 forms were completed by the patients who agreed to participate in the study, and their scores were recorded. Patients scheduled for TRUS-Bx were divided into two groups: those who attended their appointments and underwent the biopsy, and those who did not attend their scheduled appointments. The effect of health literacy and other parameters on the TRUS-Bx requirement was examined between the two groups. Furthermore, 52 patients who underwent TRUS-Bx were divided into two groups as malignancy (malignant) detected and not-detected (benign) patients according to the pathology results, and the parameters were analyzed separately for these groups.

RESULTS

The education level of the patients who underwent the TRUS-Bx procedure was found to be statistically higher (p = 0.026). Health Literacy Survey-Turkey- Questionnaire 47 and Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32 scores were statistically significantly higher in the TRUS-Bx group (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). In the logistic regression analysis, education level, Health Literacy Survey-Turkey- Questionnaire 47 and Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32 were found to be important predictors for awareness of the requirement for TRUS-Bx.

CONCLUSION

The study's findings indicate that patients with higher health literacy and education levels were more likely to receive an early diagnosis and promptly proceed with the recommended TRUS-Bx after visiting a urologist.

THE ROLE OF HEALTH LITERACY IN PROSTATE CANCER SCREENING

OBJECTIVE

To determine if there is an association between self-reported health literacy and rates of prostate cancer screening through PSA testing.

METHODS

This secondary data analysis utilized information from the 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The primary exposure was self-reported health literacy, and the primary outcome was whether patients underwent prior PSA testing. Males 55-69 years old from 13 states were included in the study and were excluded if they had any missing data. Participants were categorized into low, moderate, or high level of health literacy. Confounders were adjusted for using binary logistic regression. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.

RESULTS

A total of 12,149 participants were included. Five percent of participants reported low health literacy, 54% moderate health literacy, and 41% high health literacy. Compared with study participants who self-reported high levels of health literacy, the odds of undergoing PSA testing were 59% lower in those with low health literacy (OR 0.41; 95% CI 0.28-0.64) and 30% lower in those with moderate health literacy (OR 0.70; 95% CI 0.60-0.83).

CONCLUSIONS

Our research demonstrates a positive association between self-reported health literacy and the likelihood of PSA screening. While PSA screening can be controversial, health literacy may serve as a window into which patients are more likely to be proactive in their urologic care. Future studies examining how health literacy effects other urologic conditions is necessary.

Prostate Cancer in Latin America: Challenges and Recommendations

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequent tumor among Latin American (LATAM) men. The incidence of de novo metastatic PCa is higher in LATAM than other parts of the world, and demographic changes in the region have increased disease burden. However, region-specific information regarding prevalence, progression, and treatment effectiveness is not currently available for nonmetastatic, castration-resistant PCa (nmCRPC). Nonmetastatic, castration-resistant PCa is a heterogeneous disease with varying potential to develop metastasis with limited treatments available, until recently. New clinical trials with promising results have allowed second-generation antiandrogen drugs to be used as first-line treatments, rendering guidelines outdated. As a result, this panel of experts reviewed the current status and challenges and developed recommendations for nmCRPC diagnosis and management in LATAM. The Americas Health Foundation (AHF) conducted a literature review and identified LATAM scientists and clinicians who have published in the field of PCa since 2012. The AHF convened a panel of 7 chosen experts urologists and medical oncologists from the region. The AHF developed specific questions relating to nmCRPC, which were answered by the experts prior to the multiday meeting. Each narrative was discussed and edited by the panel, through numerous rounds of discussion until a consensus was reached in a final manuscript. The panel proposes specific and realistic recommendations for improving access to diagnosis and management of PCa in LATAM. No treatment has yet shown improvement in overall survival; however, when including metastasis-free survival as an end point, second-generation antiandrogen drugs have emerged as effective treatment options and are currently included as first-line treatment. Although nmCRPC is a specific disease that represents a small percentage of patients with PCa, effective diagnostic and treatment strategies can contribute toward increasing quality of life and survival rates of patients with PCa in LATAM.

The Association of Previous Prostate Biopsy Related Complications and the Type of Complication with Patient Compliance with Rebiopsy Scheme

PURPOSE

Prostate biopsy complications have important consequences that may affect patient compliance with rebiopsy schemes. However, to our knowledge this has not been studied in earnest. Thus, we evaluated whether previous prostate biopsy related complications and the type of complication were associated with repeat prostate biopsy compliance in a clinical trial with study mandated systematic biopsies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the records of 4,939 men 50 to 75 years old who underwent 2-year prostate biopsy and were recommended to undergo 4-year prostate rebiopsy in the REDUCE (Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events) study. The analyzed biopsy complications were hematuria, urinary tract infection, acute urinary retention and hemospermia.

RESULTS

A total of 260 men (5.3%) had a 2-year prostate biopsy related complication, including hematuria in 180 (3.6%), urinary tract infection in 36 (0.7%), acute urinary retention in 26 (0.5%) and hemospermia in 102 (2.1%). A total of 474 men (9.6%) were noncompliant with 4-year rebiopsy. On univariable analysis any previous complication (OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.08-2.24, p = 0.018), urinary tract infection (OR 2.72, 95% CI 1.23-6.00, p = 0.013), acute urinary retention (OR 4.24, 95% CI 1.83-9.81, p = 0.016) and hemospermia (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.03-3.06, p = 0.037) were associated with rebiopsy noncompliance. Hematuria was not associated with rebiopsy noncompliance (OR 1.19, 95% CI 0.74-1.91, p = 0.483). Results were unchanged on multivariable analysis, including for any complication (OR 1.65, 95% CI 1.08-2.26, p = 0.018), for urinary tract infection (OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.07-3.21, p = 0.029), for acute urinary retention (OR 4.51, 95% CI 1.93-10.54, p = 0.001), for hemospermia (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.07-3.21, p = 0.029) and for hematuria (OR 1.19, 95% CI 0.74-1.93, p = 0.472).

CONCLUSIONS

In men who undergo repeat prostate biopsy a previous biopsy related complication and the type of complication were associated with lower compliance with rebiopsy schemes. Patients who experience biopsy related complications are ideal candidates to receive intervention regarding the importance of prostate rebiopsy to prevent noncompliance.

Prostate cancer in Brazil and Latin America: epidemiology and screening

INTRODUCTION

Prostate cancer is one of the tumors with higher incidence and mortality among men in the World. Epidemiological data are influenced by life expectancy of population, available diagnostic methods, correct collection of data and quality of health services. Screening of the disease is not standardized around the World. Up till now there is no consensus about the risks versus benefits of early detection. There are still missing data about this pathology in Latin America.

OBJECTIVE

to revise current epidemiologic situation and early diagnosis policies of prostate cancer in Brazil and Latin America.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Medline, Cochrane Library and SciELO databases were reviewed on the subject of epidemiology and screening of prostate cancer. Screening research was performed in websites on national public health organizations and Latin America. Screening recommendations were obtained from those governmental organizations and from Latin American urological societies and compared to the most prominent regulatory agencies and societies of specialists and generalists from around the World.

RESULTS

Brazil and Latin America have a special position in relation to incidence and mortality of prostate cancer. In Brazil, it occupies the first position regarding incidence of cancer in men and the second cause of mortality. Central America has the highest rate of mortality of the continent with lower incidence/mortality ratios. Screening recommendations are very distinct, mainly among regulatory organs and urological societies.

CONCLUSION

prostate cancer epidemiology is an important health public topic. Data collection related to incidence and mortality is still precarious, especially in less developed countries. It is necessary to follow-up long term screening studies results in order to conclude its benefits.

Prostate cancer screening in Switzerland: 20-year trends and socioeconomic disparities

BACKGROUND

Despite important controversy in its efficacy, prostate cancer (PCa) screening has become widespread. Important socioeconomic screening disparities have been reported. However, trends in PCa screening and social disparities have not been investigated in Switzerland, a high risk country for PCa. We used data from five waves (from 1992-2012) of the population-based Swiss Health Interview Survey to evaluate trends in PCa screening and its association with socioeconomic indicators.

METHODS

We used multivariable Poisson regression to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) adjusting for demographics, health status, and use of healthcare.

RESULTS

The study included 12,034 men aged ≥50 years (mean age: 63.9). Between 1992 and 2012, ever use of PCa screening increased from 55.3% to 70.0% and its use within the last two years from 32.6% to 42.4% (p-value <0.05). Income, education, and occupational class were independently associated with PCa screening. PCa screening within the last two years was greater in men with the highest (>$6,000/month) vs. lowest income (≤$2,000) (46.5% vs. 38.7% in 2012, PR for overall period =1.29, 95%CI: 1.13-1.48). These socioeconomic disparities did not significantly change over time.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that about half of Swiss men had performed at least one PCa screening. Men belonging to high socioeconomic status are clearly more frequently screened than those less favored. Given the uncertainty of the usefulness of PCa screening, men, including those with high socioeconomic status, should be clearly informed about benefits and harms of PCa screening, in particular, the adverse effect of over-diagnosis and of associated over-treatment.