Effect of mode of administration on I-PSS scores in a large BPH patient population.

OBJECTIVES: The International Prostate Symptoms Score (I-PSS) was designed to be self-administered to patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. This study tested for a possible mode of administration effect on the I-PSS and assessed the reliability of the I-PSS over time when modes of administration varied. METHODS: Benign prostatic hyperplasia patients over 50 years of age were recruited at 52 Spanish centres. The I-PSS was administered on two occasions 1 month apart. Patients were sequentially classified into groups A-D according to the mode of administration (S = self-administered, I = interview administered) at the two visits (A = S-S, B = S-I, C = I-S, and D = I-I). The intraclass correlation coefficient was used to assess test-retest reliability, and multiple regression analysis was used to test the effects of the mode of administration and the visit number on I-PSS scores. RESULTS: 926 patients (mean age 66 years) were evaluated. The mean I-PSSs symptoms score at visit 1 in groups A-D were, respectively, 13.19, 13.57, 12.06, and 12.29. Multiple regression analysis between-group scores were 0.93 points higher when the I-PSS was self-administered and 1.98 points lower at the second visit. The intraclass correlation coefficients were: group A = 0.77, group B = 0.70, group C = 0.67, and group D = 0.76. CONCLUSIONS: Interview administration of the I-PSS results in slightly lower scores. The reliability is higher when the same mode of administration is used at two recurrent visits.

[Socioclinical and diagnostic characteristics of prostatism in Spain at the end of the 20th century]. / Características sociosanitarias y diagnósticas del paciente prostático en España a finales del siglo XX.

RATIONALE: To study sociodemographic characteristics and current diagnostic and therapeutic behaviour with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) patients in Spain at the end of the 20th century. METHODS: Sociodemographic, clinical, therapeutic and quality of life (QoL) data from study ESECI-98, conducted in Spain (1998-1999) in patients with BPH. RESULTS: Nine hundred and forty nine patients were evaluable, with a mean (+/- SD) age of 65.6 (+/- 7.8) years, with concomitant diseases (40%), pain/discomfort (34%) and anxiety/depression (23%); QoL score (mean +/- SD) was 72.1 +/- 16.1 on a total possible score of 100. BPH diagnosis was based on symptoms (93%), digital rectal examination (93%) and abdomino-pelvic ultrasonography (76%). PSA was mentioned for the diagnosis of BPH in 54% of the patients and 77% were receiving pharmacological treatment (61% alpha-blockers) during less than 6 months (38%) or more than a year (35%). CONCLUSIONS: In this study the diagnosis of BPH was mainly based on symptoms, digital rectal examination and abdomino-pelvic ultrasonography. It is worth mentioning that PSA for the diagnosis of BPH, was used in a half of the total number of patients. Pharmacological therapy was used in 3 out of every 4 patients. Compared to a previous national study, there is a change on diagnosis and therapy of BPH.