CODES.AND.STUFF

Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein produced by the cells of the prostate gland. The PSA test measures the level of PSA in the blood. The doctor takes a blood sample and the amount of serum PSA can be measured by a simple laboratory test.

Any condition that irritates or damages the prostate can lead to a leakage of PSA into the blood. Reasons for the presence of an elevated PSA include benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), prostatitis, prostate cancer, recent prostate biopsies, bladder surgery, prostate surgery and prostatic massage.

Abnormal/raised PSA is a diagnostic indication, however a definitive diagnosis in these instances would be the preferred code e.g. benign prostatic hypertrophy, CA prostate.

In the absence of a definite diagnosis the appropriate ICD-10 code for raised/elevated PSA can be found in the ICD-10 classification Chapter XVIII Symptoms, signs and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified at R79.8 Other specified abnormal findings of blood chemistry.

Index trail:

Abnormal, abnormality

– chemistry, blood

– – specified NEC R79.8

Tabular List:

R79.8 Other specified abnormal findings of blood chemistry

Date published: 10/2005 (Volume 2 Issue 2)

Coding Clinic, NHS Classifications Service

www.connectingforhealth.nhs.uk/codingclinic

Tags: abnormal findings, blood chemistry, PSA, r codes