title: The incontinence impact questionnaire-7 (IIQ-7) can be applicable to Chinese males and females with lower urinary tract symptoms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to extend the scope of application of the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 (IIQ-7) with the objective of assessing the applicability, validity, reliability and sensitivity of the IIQ-7 in both Chinese males and females with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
  
  
  METHODS
  The validity, reliability and sensitivity were assessed in 233 patients who were recruited in Hong Kong primary-care settings. The internal construct validity was assessed by corrected item-total correlation. The convergent validity was assessed using Pearson's correlation test against International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) quality-of-life question and Short Form 12, version 2 (SF-12v2). The reliability was assessed by the internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient) and 2-week test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient and paired t test). The sensitivity was determined by performing known group comparisons by independent t test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Corrected item-total correlations were ≥0.4 for all items in males and females. Overall, the IIQ-7 total score had a stronger correlation with IPSS quality-of-life score than the SF-12v2. The IIQ-7 showed good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient >0.7) and good test-retest reliability (ICC > 0.8, paired t test p value >0.05). The IIQ-7 was more sensitive than the SF-12v2 to detect differences among patients with different levels of symptom severity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The IIQ-7 Chinese version appears to be a valid and reliable measure to assess Cantonese-speaking males and females with LUTS. The IIQ-7 is more sensitive than generic health-related quality-of-life measures to detect differences between groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care, The University of Hong Kong, 3/F., 161 Main Street, Ap Lei Chau Clinic, Ap Lei Chau, Hong Kong, h0714919@hku.hk.
authors.forename: Edmond P H
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Cindy L K
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: Weng-Yee
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Chin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D011788:Quality of Life; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000523:psychology*