The association between the ICIQ-LUTS and the ICIQ-bladder diary in assessing LUTS

The bladder diary (BD) provides a non-invasive method of investigating lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) while the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaires (ICIQ) symptom questionnaires, such as the ICIQ-MLUTS and ICIQ-FLUTS for males and females, respectively, provide a subjective assessment. The association between objective and subjective assessments has not been well established for the ICIQ.

Retrospective analysis of data collected from a urodynamics database was conducted. Only patients who completed both the ICIQ-MLUTS/FLUTS and the ICIQ-BD were included. Assessment of the relationship between the ICIQ-BD and the ICIQ-MLUTS/FLUTS with regards to daytime frequency and nocturia episodes was conducted using descriptive statistics to determine how well they correlate.

A total of 3054 patients were on the database with only 529 patients fully completing both the ICIQ-BD and ICIQ-MLUTS/FLUTS from February 2012 until November 2014. Criterion testing showed fair agreement between the nocturia question on the ICIQ-MLUTS/FLUTS and the ICIQ-BD (Kappa = 0.339; P < 0.001; 48.5%). Whereas diary recordings of daytime voiding frequency showed low agreement with questionnaire responses (Kappa = 0.254; P < 0.001; 42.7%). The degree of agreement was higher at lower frequencies. Females had a slightly higher agreement than males during the daytime (43.2% vs 41.6%) and nighttime (49.3% vs 47%).

The ICIQ-BD is a simple, cheap, valid, and reliable method to assess LUTS in everyday clinical practice. However, an agreement between the ICIQ-BD and the ICIQ-MLUTS/FLUTS with regards to daytime frequency and nocturia episode is weak and therefore both are needed in the assessment of patients with LUTS.