[Symptom scores: what do they describe exactly?].

OBJECTIVE

Standardized symptom scores have been developed to evaluate voiding disorders. The most widely used in France are the IPSS and Madsen-Iversen. These self-assessment questionnaires are by definition subjective. The objective of this study was to compare the capacities of the IPSS and Madsen-Iversen score to describe the patient's voiding status and to define the patient's level of understanding of these questionnaires.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

One hundred male patients were included in this prospective study. All completed an IPSS and Madsen-Iversen questionnaire. Physical examination, uroflowmetry and post-voiding bladder ultrasonography were also performed.

RESULTS

The description of the voiding status was considered to be satisfactory or fairly satisfactory, with a total of 85% for IPSS and 87% for Madsen-Iversen. Understanding of the questionnaire was high with a value of 84% for IPSS and 83% for Madsen-Iversen. Neither the order of completion of the IPSS or Madsen-Iversen questionnaires nor the patient's age influenced these results.

CONCLUSIONS

No difference was demonstrated between the IPSS score and the MADSEN-IVERSEN questionnaire in terms of description and comprehension. However, one out of five patients experienced difficulties completing these questionnaires.