RELIABILITY OF THE INTERNATIONAL PROSTATE SYMPTOM SCORE IN THE ASSESSMENT OF PATIENTS WITH LOWER URINARY-TRACT SYMPTOMS AND OR BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA/

Purpose: The reliability of the International Prostate Symptom Score ( I-PSS) was tested in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms and/or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Materials and Methods: A total of 71 co nsecutive men with benign prostatic hyperplasia and/or lower urinary t ract symptoms was asked to complete the I-PSS at baseline and 8 weeks later. At the second visit the physician also completed the I-PSS acco rding to the complaints of the patient. Variability between both score s was evaluated by calculation of duplo errors and results were compar ed to the clinical data. Results: A considerable variability existed b etween the I-PSS results obtained at baseline and 8 weeks. The duplo e rror was 4.3. In a regression analysis of I-PSS, including all clinica l parameters, only free flow had some predictive value for I-PSS outco mes. Conclusions: It is important to consider the variability of the I -PSS score when making decisions concerning treatment.