Predictors of the international prostate symptoms scores for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background:Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTSs) can significantly reduce men's quality of life and may point to serious pathology of the urogenital tract. This study aimed at finding predictors of symptoms score on the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) for patients with LUTS.Materials and Methods:The study was cross-sectional conducted among 225 Ghanaian men visiting the urology clinic at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital. Trained interviewers used the IPSS, which adds a quality of life question to the American Urology Association symptom index to determine the extent to which patients are troubled by their symptoms. Five milliliters of blood was collected for total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) measurement. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed to evaluate the prostate volume (PV).Results:The mean age of the participants was 67.96 ± 14.57. The average score obtained from the study participants using the IPSS scale was 17.52 ± 7.83. There was a significant association between bother score and IPSS symptoms grade (P < 0.0001). Regression plot of the participants' points for IPSS in relation to the age, PSA, and PV showed statistically significant positive associations (P < 0.05). However, the coefficients of determination (R2) were 0.156, 0.022, and 0.048, respectively. This means that each unit increase of age, PSA, and PV only influences 15.6%, 2.3%, and 4.8% of the change in the symptom score. There was statistically significant association between age and moderate-to-severe LUTS with age range of 75 years above recording the highest odds (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 18.72, (1.15–99.78), P < 0.0001). The PSA range 20.1–50 ng/ml was significantly associated with moderate-to-severe LUTS (AOR = 17.37 (2.19–223.45), P = 0.006). Moreover, other factors, which were significantly associated with moderate-to-severe LUTS, were smoking (AOR = 0.32 (0.11–0.94) P = 0.038) and being widowed (AOR = 0.05 (0.002–0.52), P =0.010) respectively.Conclusion:The study found a statistically significant correlation between age, PSA, PV, and IPSS scores; however, these influences were mild.

Correlation between Initial International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Complications of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

“…In recent years, many researches have shown the correlation between IPSS and different factors associated with BPH; such as age, prostate volume, peak flow rate, post-void residual urine and clinical bladder outlet obstruction [7][8][9] . All of the studies cited above have shown that higher IPSS correlated with many factors, which indicated more severity of BPH symptoms.…”

“…The Thai version of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS-Th) is reliable and can be used in the same manner as the English version 5 . There are many studies that demonstrate the correlation between IPSS and factors associated with BPH; for example, quality of life 6 , age 7,8 , prostate-specific antigen (PSA) 8 , prostate volume 7,8 , post void volume 7 and peak flow rate 7,9 . However, only a limited number of reports emphasize the correlation between IPSS and complications of BPH.…”

“…Each question has zero to five points (0 as no symptom to 5 as almost always suffering from symptoms). The summation of IPSS will classify the severity of symptoms into three groups: mild (0-7), moderate (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19) and severe (20-35). The sample size in this study was determined by the detection of a 5% difference in the prevalence of BPH in Thailand, with 5% α-error, 20% β-error and 80% power of test.…”