Introduction: Given a lack of published data regarding PSA testing rates in the spinal cord injury (SCI) population, there is concern for potential disparities and over-testing in this unique patient population. The purpose of this investigation was to identify and evaluate national PSA testing rates in Veterans with SCI. Methods: Utilizing the Department of Veterans Affairs Informatics and Computing Infrastructure’s (VINCI) Corporate Data Warehouse, retrospective data extraction of was performed for PSA testing for all individuals with a diagnosis of SCI in the VA system using ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes. PSA testing rates were calculated, analyzed by race and age, and stratified according to published AUA guideline groupings for PSA testing. Results: A total of 45,274 Veterans from 129 VA Medical Centers were identified with a diagnosis of SCI who had records of PSA testing between years 2000 and 2017. Male veterans who were only tested prior to SCI diagnosis were excluded from the analysis. Final cohort data analysis included 37,243 male Veterans who cumulatively underwent 261,125 post-SCI PSA tests during the given timeframe. For the entire population, average PSA testing rates for the age groups were 0.46 tests/year (=39), 0.78 tests/year (40-54), 1.0 tests/year (55-69), and 0.91 tests/year (=70). However, PSA testing rates were significantly higher for the AA group vs. the non-AA group at all ages (Figure 1, p<0.0005). Conclusions: Significant differences exist in rates of PSA testing in persons with SCI based on age and race. Higher than recommended testing rates were identified in all age groups, especially for AA Veterans (=70 years). SOURCE OF Funding: This research was supported in part through funding from the Center for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering, VCU Health System.
