The development and validation of a quality-of-life measure to assess partner morbidity in benign prostatic enlargement

Objective To investigate morbidity in the partners of patients with benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) by developing and validating a disease-specific questionnaire. Patients and methods Phase 1 of the study comprised preliminary interviews with 15 patients who had newly diagnosed BPE, and with their partners, to d etermine the relevant issues for the partners. In phase 2, using these issu es, a questionnaire was produced and tested on the 15 partners. In phase 3 the questionnaire was completed by 90 further partners, 50 at interview and the next 40 by post. As part of the validation process, the partners were also asked to complete the Short-Form-36 questionnaire, and the patients th e Internation Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the ICSmale questionnaires. Results In phase 1 all 15 of the partners were affected by the patients' di sease and nine issues were identified. In phase 2, of the 90 partners, only one had no morbidity from the patient's symptoms; 71% were worried that th e patient may have cancer and 69% concerned that the patient may require an operation. Only six partners were present at the patients' urological cons ultation, The partners' questionnaire scores were related significantly to the Mental Health and Vitality domains of the SF36 and with the patients' I PSS. Conclusions The study confirmed the presence of significant morbidity in th e partners of patients with BPE. The degree of partner morbidity was relate d to the severity of the patients' symptoms. Many of the questionnaire issu es can be addressed in the consulting room by open discussion with patient and partner.