Comparison of three questionnaire forms used in the diagnosis of lower urinary tract symptoms: A prospective study

Questionnaire forms (QFs) are used in the evaluation of all patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs). Our study aims to investigate the compatibility of the three QFs with each other and to investigate the relationship between education level and complete completion of these forms.

A total of 224 patients between February 2018 and February 2019 were included. The patients were divided into 3 groups as primary, intermediate, and advanced according to their education level and the patients who gave incomplete answers to the questions were determined.

The mean age of the patients was 61.0 ± 7.57(45-85), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) value was 16.2 ± 8.3(1-35), the international incontinence form-male lower urinary tract symptoms (ICIQ-MLUTS) value was 16.5 ± 7.9(0-38), the visual prostate symptom score (VPSS) value was 9.9 ± 3.0(3-16). There was a significant correlation between the three QFs (P < 0.05). The correlation between IPSS and ICIQ-MLUTS was strong (r = 0.745). The incomplete response rate was 32.1% (n = 72) in ICIQ-MLUTS, 16.5% (n = 37) in VPSS, and 10.7% (n = 24) in IPSS (P < 0.05). The incomplete response rate was not affected by education. The rate of patients who could be questioned with ICIQ-MLUTS but not with the other two QFs varied between 12.9% and 85.2%, depending on the symptoms.

Each QF has its advantages and disadvantages. The strong correlation between IPSS and ICIQ-MLUTS found in our study indicates that these tools can be used interchangeably in daily clinical practice. ICIQ-MLUTS can evaluate symptoms that are not present in other QFs. In the evaluation of illiterate patients, VPSS should be used without any alternative.