scholarly journals Comprehension and construct validity of the Visual Prostate Symptom Score by men with obstructive lower urinary tract symptoms in rural Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. E405-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lynn Stothers ◽  
Andrew Macnab ◽  
Francis Bajunirwe ◽  
Sharif Mutabazi ◽  
Catherine Lobatt

Introduction: The Visual Prostate Symptom Score (VPSS) is an image-based interpretation of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) intended to quantify frequency, nocturia, weak stream, and quality of life (QoL) in a literacy-independent manner.Methods: Ugandan men presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) to a rural clinic completed VPSS and IPSS independently and then with assistance. They verbally interpreted VPSS images, rated question usefulness, and suggested improvements. Responses between word-based and image-based measures were compared (Student’s T, Fisher’s exact, and Spearman’s correlation tests).Results: 132 scores from 33 men (mean age: 61 years, range 28‒93; education: no schooling 20%, grades 1‒4 62%, 5‒7 9%, 8‒12 9%). Correlation between IPSS and VPSS scores was positive (r= 0.70), as it was between the individual irritative, obstructive, and QoL questions. Independent of education, the weak stream image was best recognized. Likert scale measures indicated this was the most useful image, followed by daytime frequency. Nocturia and QoL images were rated as less clear, with explanation required before most understood that QoL facial expression images reflected overall LUTS impact. Improvements suggested included: increased image size for frequency and nocturia pictograms, increased black/white contrast for nocturia, and addition of an image to allow reporting of urgency.Conclusions: In a population with little formal education, there was positive correlation between IPSS and VPSS, with inherent recognition best for weak stream and worst for QoL images. Increased image clarity and an additional image for urgency will enhance the global utility of the VPSS for men to report symptoms of LUTS.

2021 ◽  
pp. 205141582110002
Author(s):  
Mohammad Ali Ghaed ◽  
Reza Rezaei ◽  
Amineh Shafeinia ◽  
Robab Maghsoudi

Objective: Double-J stent is a common tool used in urological procedures that is inserted for 2–6 weeks, but it may induce abdominal and flank pain, incontinence and irritative urinary symptoms. Alleviation of such symptoms would be useful to improve the patients’ quality of life. Accordingly, in this study, the efficacy of cystone versus tamsulosin in the treatment of double-J stent-related lower urinary tract symptoms was determined. Materials and methods: In this randomised clinical trial, 128 patients who required double-J stent insertion after transureteral lithotripsy during 2018–2019 were enrolled. They were randomly assigned to receive either cystone, tamsulosin, both, or placebo. The international prostate symptom score and visual analogue score data were recorded at baseline, after 2 and 4 weeks across the groups. Results: The international prostate symptom score and visual analogue score factors were statistically different across the case groups receiving cystone, tamsulosin and both drugs versus placebo ( P=0.001). Two weeks after drug administration, the visual analogue score and international prostate symptom score were not statistically different in the tamsulosin, cystone and dual therapy groups; however, after 4 weeks the cystone group had the lowest symptoms. Conclusion: Both tamsulosin and cystone are efficient drugs which would relieve stent-related lower urinary tract symptoms. The administration of cystone with or without tamsulosin for 4 weeks may have the best result in reducing the visual analogue score and international prostate symptom score. Level of evidence: Level I, 1b, therapeutic study, randomised controlled trial


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Nazari ◽  
Vahid Shaygannejad ◽  
Mehrdad Mohammadi Sichani ◽  
Marjan Mansourian Gharaagozlou ◽  
Valiollah Hajhashemi

Abstract Background Most patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) suffer from bladder dysfunction during the course of the disease. This study was conducted to examine the prevalence of these complications among patients with MS. Methods This cross-sectional study was performed on 603 patients with MS who referred to the neurology clinics of Kashani and Alzahra Hospitals affiliated to Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. The sampling was performed by multi-stage random cluster sampling method and the informed consent form was filled in by the subjects. Then, all the data were collected through interviews using the Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Score (LUTSS) developed in accordance with the definitions presented by the International Continence Society (ICS) and the International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS). The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical tests in SPSS and the significance level was considered to be less than 0.050. Results The prevalence rate of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) was 87.6% among all the subjects, with a similar rate among women (88.0%) and men (86.0%). There was a significant difference between the two groups of men and women in terms of the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI), intermittent urine flow, hesitancy, straining, and dribbling (P < 0.050). There was no significant difference between the two groups of women and men in terms of the prevalence of other symptoms (P > 0.050). Moreover, there was a significant difference between the degree of LUTS with age, marital status, education, duration of illness, clinical course, and disability (P < 0.05). Conclusions A high prevalence of LUTS was found among patients with MS, with similar rates in men and women, and the nature of the urinary complaints and LUTS was different among men and women with MS. Therefore, it is recommended that the health system take necessary measures regarding timely detection and treatment of LUTS among these patients in order to prevent secondary outcomes and improve the quality of life (QOL) of patients with MS.


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