Developing and validating the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire bladder diary

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Medical Devices
• Clinical Validation

Background:

• Standardized validated urinary diaries are lacking for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) assessment.
• Existing methods for LUTS evaluation require a validated tool for patient symptom recording.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and psychometrically validate a urinary diary for LUTS assessment.
• To establish the reliability and responsiveness of the new diary using established protocols.

Main Methods:

• A 4-day urinary diary was administered to 400 patients with LUTS, alongside the ICIQ LUTS questionnaire.
• Validity was assessed through construct and criterion comparisons (questionnaire, urodynamics).
• Test-retest reliability and responsiveness to treatment were evaluated.

Main Results:

• The 3-day ICIQ bladder diary demonstrated good agreement with questionnaires and urodynamics for nocturia and incontinence.
• Agreement for urgency symptoms was weaker.
• The 3-day diary explained over 94% of the variance of the 4-day version, showing efficiency.
• Fair to excellent test-retest reliability and responsiveness to treatment were observed.

Conclusions:

• The ICIQ bladder diary is a valid, reliable, and responsive tool for assessing LUTS.
• The 3-day version is recommended and accepted as the standard ICIQ bladder diary.
• This validated diary offers an improved method for LUTS evaluation in clinical practice.