Reliability, validity, and gender differences in the quality of life index of the SEAPI-QMM incontinence classification system.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate reliability and validity of the SEAPI-QMM 15-item quality of life index and assess differences between male and female patients with urinary incontinence.


METHODS
Twice pre- and once post-treatment, 315 patients (102 men, 213 women) with incontinence and 35 without incontinence completed the self-directed SEAPI-QMM quality of life index. A voiding diary reported frequency of incontinence episodes with number of pads or type of protection used daily for incontinence. In 30%, the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) was administered to further validate the measure.


RESULTS
Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the index was 0.91. Domain-specific alpha coefficients ranged from 0.88 to 0.73. Test-retest reliability scores at 5 days gave a reliability coefficient of 0.93. Split half reliability was 0.89. Correlation of the index with the NHP was 0.78 for women, 0.72 for men. Mean scores before and after treatment with medical or surgical management were significantly different in both genders and were sensitive to the presence or absence of use of protection and the type of protection chosen in men. Men with incontinence (61%) reported a high level of impact in the sexuality domain compared to 7% of women.


CONCLUSIONS
The SEAPI quality of life index has a high degree of reliability relating to stability and internal consistency across a wide age range in both genders. There are differences between men and women in life domains most frequently affected by urinary incontinence.
Stothers
Lynn
L
Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, and Department of Health Care and Epidemiology, University of British Columbia, #590-1144 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6Z 2A5. lynns@interchange.ubc.ca
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000145:classification* / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D014550:Urinary Incontinence, Stress / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery
D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists