Symptom scores: what do they describe exactly?

Objective: standardized symptom scores have been developed to evaluate void ing disorders. The most widely used in France are the IPSS and Madsen-Ivers en. These self-assessment questionnaires are by definition subjective. The objective of this Study was lo compare the capacities of the IPSS and Madse n-Iversen score ro describe thp patient's voiding status and to define the patient's level of understanding of these questionnaires. Patients and Methods: One hundred male patients were included in this prosp ective study. All completed an IPSS and Madsen-Iversen questionnaire. Physi cal examination, uroflowmetry and post-voiding bladder ultrasonography were also performed Results: The description of the voiding status was considered to be satisfa ctory or fairly satisfactory, with a total of 85% for IPSS and 87% for Mads en-Iversen. Understanding of the questionnaire was high with a value of 84% for IPSS and 83% for Madsen-Iversen. Neither the order of completion of th e IPSS or Madsen-Iversen questionnaires nor the patient's age influenced th ese results. Conclusions: No difference was demonstrated between the IPSS score and the MADSEN-IVERSEN questionnaire in terms of description and comprehension. How ever; one out of five patients experienced difficulties completing these qu estionnaires.