Reliability of the International Prostate Symptom Score in the assessment of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms and/or benign prostatic hyperplasia.
OBJECTIVE
The reliability of the International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) was tested in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms and/or benign prostatic hyperplasia.


METHODS
A total of 71 consecutive men with benign prostatic hyperplasia and/or lower urinary tract symptoms was asked to complete the I-PSS at baseline and 8 weeks later. At the second visit the physician also completed the I-PSS according to the complaints of the patient. Variability between both scores was evaluated by calculation of duplo errors and results were compared to the clinical data.


RESULTS
A considerable variability existed between the I-PSS results obtained at baseline and 8 weeks. The duplo error was 4.3. In a regression analysis of I-PSS, including all clinical parameters, only free flow had some predictive value for I-PSS outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important to consider the variability of the I-PSS score when making decisions concerning treatment.
el Din
K E
KE
Department of Urology, Nijmegen University Hospital, The Netherlands.
Koch
W F
WF
de Wildt
M J
MJ
Kiemeney
L A
LA
Debruyne
F M
FM
de la Rosette
J J
JJ
D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D014563:Urodynamics