Reliability of the international prostate symptom score in the assessment of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms and/or benign prostatic hyperplasia

Purpose: The reliability of the International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) was tested in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms and/or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Materials and Methods: A total of 71 consecutive men with benign prostatic hyperplasia and/or lower urinary tract symptoms was asked to complete the I-PSS at baseline and 8 weeks later. At the second visit the physician also completed the I-PSS according to the complaints of the patient. Variability between both scores was evaluated by calculation of duplo errors and results were compared to the clinical data. Results: A considerable variability existed between the I-PSS results obtained at baseline and 8 weeks. The duplo error was 4.3. In a regression analysis of I-PSS, including all clinical parameters, only free flow had some predictive value for I-PSS outcomes. Conclusions: It is important to consider the variability of the I-PSS score when making decisions concerning treatment.