Source: J Urol 1992 Nov;148(5):1549-57; discussion 1564
The American Urological Association symptom index for
benign prostatic hyperplasia.
The Measurement Committee of the American Urological Association.
Barry MJ, Fowler FJ Jr, O'Leary MP, Bruskewitz RC, Holtgrewe HL, Mebust
WK, Cockett AT.
Medical Practices Evaluation Center, Massachusetts General Hospital,
Boston.
A symptom index for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was developed
and validated by a multidisciplinary measurement committee of the American
Urological Association (AUA). Validation studies were conducted involving
a total of 210 BPH patients and 108 control subjects. The final AUA symptom
index includes 7 questions covering frequency, nocturia, weak urinary
stream, hesitancy, intermittence, incomplete emptying and urgency. On
revalidation, the index was internally consistent (Cronbach's alpha =
0.86) and the score generated had excellent test-retest reliability (r
= 0.92). Scores were highly correlated with subjects' global ratings of
the magnitude of their urinary problem (r = 0.65 to 0.72) and powerfully
discriminated between BPH and control subjects (receiver operating characteristic
area 0.85). Finally, the index was sensitive to change, with preoperative
scores decreasing from a mean of 17.6 to 7.1 by 4 weeks after prostatectomy
(p < 0.001). The AUA symptom index is clinically sensible, reliable, valid
and responsive. It is practical for use in practice and for inclusion
in research protocols.
|