PSA
Abbreviation with 6 meanings
| Stands for | Prostate-specific antigen |
|---|---|
| Meanings | 6 |
| Categories | Medical, Writing & Everyday, Law & Legal |
| Also written | PsA |
PSA has six meanings. The most common are Prostate-specific antigen (laboratory test) and Public service announcement (everyday); it can also stand for Psoriatic arthritis, Purchase and sale agreement, Professional services agreement and Property settlement agreement.
Meanings of PSA at a glance
| # | PSA stands for | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Prostate-specific antigen | Medical › Laboratory Test |
| 2 | Public service announcement | Writing & Everyday › Everyday |
| 3 | Psoriatic arthritis | Medical › Musculoskeletal & Rheumatology |
| 4 | Purchase and sale agreement | Law & Legal › Contract |
| 5 | Professional services agreement | Law & Legal › Contract |
| 6 | Property settlement agreement | Law & Legal › Estate and Family Law |
1. Prostate-specific antigen
Medical · Laboratory Test Abbreviations
Protein made by the prostate gland and measured in blood to screen for and monitor prostate cancer. A level above about 4.0 ng/mL was the traditional threshold for further evaluation, but PSA also rises with benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis, recent ejaculation and urinary catheterization.
Example: PSA rose from 2.8 to 6.1 in a year; MRI prostate before considering biopsy.
The US Preventive Services Task Force (2018) advises an individual decision about screening for men aged 55 to 69 and recommends against routine screening at 70 and older. Finasteride and dutasteride roughly halve PSA, so values are doubled for interpretation. Free PSA percentage, PSA density and MRI help decide who needs biopsy. After prostatectomy, PSA should be essentially undetectable.
2. Public service announcement
Writing & Everyday · Everyday Abbreviations · also used in texting
A message broadcast or published to raise awareness or change behavior on an issue of public interest, such as safety, health or conservation, typically without commercial promotion. Social media users also use "PSA" humorously to share any tip.
Example: PSA: the bridge on Route 9 is closed this weekend, so plan an alternate route.
US broadcasters historically aired PSAs as part of their public-interest obligations, and the Ad Council has produced famous campaigns such as Smokey Bear, launched in 1944. In medicine, PSA means prostate-specific antigen, measured by a blood test used in prostate cancer screening.
3. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA)
Medical · Musculoskeletal & Rheumatology Abbreviations
Inflammatory arthritis that develops in up to about 30 percent of people with psoriasis, affecting joints, the spine, tendons and ligament attachments. Hallmarks include swelling of whole fingers or toes (dactylitis), involvement of the DIP joints and nail pitting.
Example: PsA with dactylitis of left second toe and Achilles enthesitis; start secukinumab.
The lowercase "s" distinguishes it from other PA abbreviations. Diagnosis commonly uses the CASPAR criteria (2006), and rheumatoid factor is usually negative. Treatments overlap with psoriasis, including TNF, IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors. A rare destructive form, arthritis mutilans, causes "telescoping" fingers. Skin disease usually precedes joint symptoms by years.
4. Purchase and sale agreement
Law & Legal · Contract Abbreviations · also used in business
Contract for buying and selling real estate or business assets that sets the price, deposit, due diligence period, conditions to closing, title requirements and allocation of closing costs. In commercial real estate it follows a letter of intent and governs the deal until closing.
Example: The buyer's 30-day inspection period under the PSA expires on Friday.
In residential sales the same document is usually called a purchase agreement or sales contract, and in some states a "P&S". Earnest money is normally held in escrow and becomes nonrefundable once the buyer's contingencies lapse. Contracts for the sale of land must generally be in writing under the statute of frauds.
5. Professional services agreement
Law & Legal · Contract Abbreviations
Contract under which a consultant, engineer, architect, accountant or other professional provides services to a client, defining the scope, fees, standard of care, insurance and ownership of work product. Public agencies commonly use a standard PSA for consultants.
Example: The city council approved a PSA with the engineering firm to design the new bridge.
Unlike contracts for goods, professional services agreements usually measure performance against a professional standard of care rather than guaranteeing results. Clauses on professional liability insurance and limitation of liability are often the most heavily negotiated. Outside contracts, PSA commonly means public service announcement or prostate-specific antigen.
6. Property settlement agreement
Law & Legal · Estate and Family Law Abbreviations
Agreement between spouses dividing their marital property and debts, and often addressing alimony, as part of a divorce or legal separation. The name is used in states such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Example: Under the PSA, he keeps the business and pays her $200,000 over four years.
Functionally the same as a marital settlement agreement. Because property division in a PSA is generally final, lawyers stress complete financial disclosure before signing, and hidden assets can be grounds to reopen it. The PSA is usually merged or incorporated into the divorce decree.
Related abbreviations
More laboratory test abbreviations
- PCT – Procalcitonin
- Phos – Phosphorus (serum phosphate)
- Plt – Platelet count
- POCT – Point-of-care testing
- PT – Prothrombin time
- PT/INR – Prothrombin time with international normalized ratio
- PTT – Partial thromboplastin time
- QNS – Quantity not sufficient
See all 135 laboratory test abbreviations →
More everyday abbreviations
- pk – Pack
- pkg – Package
- POB – Place of birth
- prev. – Previous
- Q&A – Question and answer
- qty – Quantity
- R&R – Rest and relaxation
- rec'd – Received
See all 82 everyday abbreviations →
This entry is for general education and is not medical or legal advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.