Abstract B122: Association between allostatic load and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in African American men

• Published in: Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention biomarkers & prevention, 2023-12, Vol.32 (12_Supplement), p.B122-B122
• Main Authors: Chevrin, Jamirah Y., Kittles, Rick
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1538-7755; 1538-7755
• DOI: 10.1158/1538-7755.DISP23-B122

Introduction: To further understand cancer health disparities, researchers are utilizing the framework of social determinants of health with a significant factor including physiological factors such as stress. Emerging evidence suggests physiological dysregulation such as high allostatic load to have negative health effects including acting as a driver to cancer risk and development. Understanding the lifetime effects of allostatic load levels within the African American populations is imperative. However, the literature is sparse on allostatic load and prostate cancer in African American men despite high rates of allostatic load and prostate cancer in this population. The goal was to evaluate the association of high allostatic load and prostate cancer within African American men in Chicago. Methods:  In 2003-2012, 1200 AA men, over 18 years of age were recruited through yearly community health events in Chicago, Illinois. Allostatic load was defined as the sum of 8 established baseline risk-associated biomarkers, cholesterol, triglyceride, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, that exceeded specified cut off points adapted from verified scales found in previous literature. Results: The presence of high allostatic load levels was significantly associated with elevated PSA levels in Black men. Participants with high allostatic load scores were 2 times more likely to have elevated PSA levels. [Odds Ratio (OR) 2.129 (95%CI 1.254, 3.614)] Conclusion In conclusion, these results suggest the biological toll of stress in Black men may contribute to higher PSA scores and prostate cancer risks. It is important to understand the complex interplay of the multi-factorial experiences that are unique to Blacks in the United States that may put Black men at higher risk for factors that drive prostate cancer. Further research should be conducted on understanding these socio-biological risk factors to develop effective intervention strategies.   Citation Format: Jamirah Y. Chevrin, Rick Kittles. Association between allostatic load and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in African American men [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 16th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2023 Sep 29-Oct 2;Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2023;32(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B122.