Role of prostate health index (PHI) in prostate cancer screening: cost minimization analysis through simulation modelling.

[BACKGROUND] Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer globally, with rising incidence rates, particularly in Europe. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing, often leads to overdiagnosis and unnecessary biopsies. This study aims to assess the cost-saving potential of incorporating the Prostate Health Index (PHI) as a biomarker in PCa screening programmes to reduce unnecessary biopsies and optimize costs in healthcare systems.

[METHODS] A simulation model was constructed using data from an observational study in a clinical setting. PHI values were used to determine biopsy decisions in a simulated population of 10,000 men aged 50-70 with PSA levels 3-10 ng/mL. Logistic regression modeled the correlation between PHI and clinically significant PCa (csPCa). Three csPCa prevalence scenarios (10%, 20%, and 30%) were tested to assess cost-minimizing effects. Decision trees compared the PHI-guided biopsy approach to the conventional PSA-based strategy.

[RESULTS] The PHI-guided approach reduced up to 49.7% negative and low-grade biopsies and demonstrated cost savings compared to the conventional PSA-based strategy. Use of PHI resulted in cost savings of €233 per patient in csPCa detection. The mean cost of the PHI pathway was €681, compared to €915 for the conventional PSA-based pathway. However, the study's reliance on synthetic data and the limited inclusion of MRI in the dataset may affect the generalizability of findings.

[CONCLUSIONS] Incorporating PHI into PCa screening could reduce overdiagnosis, unnecessary biopsies, and overall healthcare costs. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm PHI's role as a cost-effective reflex test and its integration into broader PCa screening strategies.