NCCP Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Harmonisation Project

NCCP Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Harmonisation Project

The NCCP sought to address the lack of harmonisation of PSA measurements around the country as indicated in a recent publication in British Journal Urology International (BJUI)1. It was proposed that harmonisation of PSA assays around the country will lead to better decision-making particularly for PSA results in the narrow 3-7 ug/L range, where a decision to perform prostate biopsy may be taken and where it is thought that lack of standardisation may contribute to unnecessary biopsies.

The NCCP PSA Harmonisation Project Board was set up, and is chaired by Dr. Vivion Crowley, Consultant Chemical Pathologist. IEQAS (Irish External Quality Assessment Scheme) www.ieqas.ie are a key partner in this important quality initiative. The goal is to further elucidate this matter and recommend the best approach to achieving optimal PSA harmonisation. A part of this project, is the development of the Agreed Outcomes NCCP PSA Harmonisation Workshop Report. This was agreed at a NCCP PSA Harmonisation Workshop that was held on the 3rd December 2014, which was attended by representatives from national laboratories.

1Forde, J. C., Marignol, L., Blake, O., McDermott, T., Grainger, R., Crowley, V. E. & Lynch, T. H. 2012. Standardization of assay methods reduces variability of total PSA measurements: an Irish study. BJU Int, 110, 644-50.

 

Last Updated 15/07/2015