Is the Visual Prostate Symptom Score (VPSS) as useful as the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) in evaluating patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)? A prospective comparison of the 2 questionnaires.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48193/revistamexicanadeurologa.v81i2.666Keywords:
Key words: Visual Prostate Symptom Score (VPSS), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).Abstract
Introduction: The symptoms of the lower urinary tract (LUTS) are one of the main reasons for consultation in urology. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is a useful tool in the assessment of LUTS, but in daily clinical practice it is not always easy for all patients to complete it.
Objective: To check if there is an adequate correlation between the Visual Prostate Symptom Score (VPSS) and the IPSS in the diagnosis of patients with LUTS and to evaluate the differences regarding the need for help and the time required for self-completion of both questionnaires.
Material and methods: A prospective, multicenter study was conducted from June 2019 to January 2020. Both questionnaires were delivered to patients for self-completion in the Urology clinic. Later, in the same clinic, flowmetry and prostate ultrasound were performed. Variables were analyzed: age, IPSS score, VPSS score, need for help completing the questionnaires, time spent, maximum flow (Qmax), prostate volume and educational level. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used for statistical analysis.
Results: A total of 101 patients with LUTS were collected. The mean age was 68'53 years. The maximum flow was 9.2 ml/s on average and the prostatic volume was 50.77 cc on average. The level of studies was: primary studies in 49'5% of patients, secondary 20'8%, vocational training 13'8% and university studies 7'9%. A negative correlation was observed between the total IPSS score and the VPPS with the Qmax. The time required and the need for help were greater for completing the IPPS than for the VPSS, these differences being statistically significant. Patients with primary studies required less time and help to complete the VPPS.
Conclusions: VPSS is correlated with IPSS, with the advantage of being easier and faster to complete by patients.
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