AN ASSESSMENT OF THE COMPREHENSION OF THE AMERICAN-UROLOGICAL-ASSOCIATION SYMPTOM INDEX

Purpose: We determine the reading grade level of the American Urologic al Association (AUA) symptom index, and assessed patient ability to re ad and understand the index using a standardized reading and IQ test. Materials and Methods: The reading grade level required to read and un derstand the AUA symptom index was determined using the Spache and Dal e-Chall readability formulas. A total of 202 men a mean of 66.1 years old completed the AUA symptom index, Wonderlic personnel test and scho lastic level examination, and revised Ohio literacy test. Patients wer e instructed to report any difficulty in reading or understanding the AUA symptom score. Results: According to the Spache and Dale-Chall rea dability formulas, the AUA symptom index requires a grade 6 reading le vel. Of the 202 patients 30 (14.9%) did not complete the symptom index due to an inability to read it (28, 13.9%) and poor comprehension (2, 1%). Tested mean IQ and reading grade level was 91.7 and 11, respecti vely. Conclusions: A grade 6 reading level is required to read and und erstand the AUA symptom index. A significant percentage of patients ca nnot read the index and require assistance from others for its complet ion. This assistance may introduce significant interviewer bias, poten tially altering study outcome.