The use and efficacy of the American Urological Association Symptom Index in assessing the outcome of urethroplasty for post-traumatic complete posterior urethral strictures

Objective To determine if the American Urological Association (AUA) Symptom Index is an accurate and reliable instrument for use in assessing the outc ome after urethroplasty. Patients and methods The AUA Symptom Index questionnaire was answered by 33 men (mean age 31.3 years) who underwent end-to-end urethral reconstruction after complete urethral disruption: the index was completed at a mean of 6 months after surgery. The scores were then correlated with maximum flow ra tes (Q(max)) and presence of re-stenosis on retrograde urethrography. Results The initial mean (SD) AUA score was 10.42 (9.6) and the Q(max) 22.1 2 (9. 37) mL/s. Of the 33 patients, six (18%) had re-stenosis, with a mean score of 30 and Q(max) of 6 mL/s. There was a significant inverse correlati on between the AUA symptom score and Q(max) (r = -0.401. P < 0.05). Conclusion The AUA Symptom Index is inversely correlated with and may indic ate the presence of re-stenosis after urethroplasty. The AUA score can thus be used as a cost-effective and easy method in the first-fine screening or the outcome of urethroplasty.