Reliability and validity of the International Prostate Symptom Score in a Malaysian population

Objective To validate the English version of the International Prostate Sym ptom Score (IPSS) in patients with and without urinary symptoms in a Malays ian population. Patients and methods Validity and reliability were assessed in patients wit h lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and in patients with no LUTS, Reliabi lity was evaluated using the test-retest method and internal consistency us ing Cronbach's alpha. Sensitivity to change was expressed as the effect siz e in the score before and after intervention in additional patients with LU TS who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Results Internal consistency was excellent; there was a high degree of inte rnal consistency for each of the seven domains and for the total score (Cro nbach's alpha greater than or equal to0.60 and greater than or equal to0.79 , respectively) in the populations studied. The test-retest correlation coe fficient for the seven domain scores was highly significant. The intraclass correlation coefficient was high (greater than or equal to0.59). There was a high level of sensitivity and specificity for the effects of treatment, with a very significant change between the seven scores domains in the trea ted group but not in the control group. Conclusions The IPSS is suitable, reliable, valid and sensitive to clinical change in the Malaysian population.