Table 4

Results of the studies that examined the effect of a decision aid on the men’s motivation for undergoing PSA screening

StudyPatient-important outcomes presented in the decision aidResults (men who got randomised to the decision-aid arm, unless otherwise stated)
Gattellari et al 30 Prostate cancer diagnosis: 10% up to age 75 years.
Prostate cancer mortality: 1 out of 100 men will die from prostate cancer.		Interest in having PSA test in the upcoming 12 months:

  • Definitely: 26% (95% CI 18 to 35)

  • Quite a lot: 11% (95% CI 6 to 11)

  • Somewhat: 19% (95% CI 12 to 27)

  • A little: 25% (95% CI 16 to 33)

  • Definitely not interested 23% (95% CI 15 to 31)

Petrova et al 31 Prostate cancer mortality: 7 of 1000 men who participated in screening and 7 of 1000 men who did NOT participate in screening.
Unnecessary treatment: 20 of 1000 men who participated in screening and 0 of 1000 men who did NOT participate in screening.

  • Intended to participate in screening: 44%.

  • Intended to not participate in screening: 37%.

Sheridan et al 32 Prostate cancer diagnosis: 5 out of every 100 men who are aged 50 years have prostate cancer, whereas 25 out of every 100 men aged 70 years have prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer mortality: 3 of every 100 men die from prostate cancer.

  • Interested in screening: 78%*

Sheridan et al 33 Prostate cancer mortality:

  • Without screening over 10 years: 4 out of 1000 men.

  • With screening over 10 years: 3 out of 1000 men.

  • Benefits of screening over 10 years: fewer death in 1 out of 1000 men.

Unnecessary biopsies: moderate-to-serious infection or bleeding due to biopsies in 300 out of 1000 men.
Unnecessary treatment: sex and urine problems due to treatment: 300 out of 1000 men.		Intent to accept screening, presented as a range of 1–5 (high scores indicate stronger intention to accept screening):

  • Decision aid with a focus on the number presentation: 3.63 (SD: 1.15).

  • Decision aid with a focus on the narrative presentation: 3.53 (SD: 1.24).

  • Decision aid with a focus on the numbers and frame: 3.88 (SD: 1.06).

Taylor et al 34 Prostate cancer diagnosis: about 1 of every 6 (16%) men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer mortality: about 1 out of every 33 (3%) men will die from prostate cancer.		Self-reported screening at 13 months:

  • PSA screening: 45.3%.

  • DRE screening: 46.8%.

  • Combined PSA+DRE screening: 59.5%.

Wilt et al 35 Prostate cancer diagnosis: 10% of the men get prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer mortality: 70%–80% who have prostate cancer do not die from it.

  • 31% received a PSA test in the year after.

  • *All study participants (not randomised trial).

  • DRE, digital rectal examination; PSA, prostate-specific antigen.