To investigate the correlation between the visual prostate symptom score, the international prostate symptom score, and uroflowmetry parameters in adult Thai males of different educational levels

Abstract

BackgroundTo evaluate the correlation between the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Visual Prostate Symptom Score (VPSS), and uroflowmetry parameters in Thai males and to examine the possibility in establishing a severity cut-off point for VPSS.MethodsBetween 1st February and 31st May 2016 a total of 200 men were enrolled onto the study and divided into high and low educated groups. All of them were requested to complete paperwork including their personal data, and then to complete a VPSS and IPSS questionnaire. Uroflowmetry, residual urine and prostate size were measured. The relationship between the answers to the VPSS and IPSS together with the other objective parameters was assessed using Spearman's rank test.ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 61.2 years. 69.9% of subjects were highly educated. There was a statistically significant correlation between VPSS and IPSS in total, and any individual scores except frequency score. There was weak correlation between the VPSS and the uroflowmetry parameters and prostate size. The low educated group had a statistically significant lower completion rate of both the VPSS (41.6% vs. 79.8%) and IPSS (61.2% vs. 81.2%) without assistance than the higher educated group and most of the lower educated group felt that the IPSS was easier to understand than the VPSS (51.2% vs. 48.8%, P < 0.001). A VPSS severity score ≤6 or ≥14 had a very high specificity that predicted the patients would have mild or severe symptoms (94.7% and 98.6%) while a VPSS between 7 and 13 had a high sensitivity (90.8%) but a low specificity (16.9%) when it came to the prediction of moderate symptoms.ConclusionVPSS showed a significant correlation to the IPSS and uroflowmetry parameters. A VPSS score ≤6, 7 to 13 and ≥14 may indicate mild, moderate, and severe symptoms respectively.

Visual prostate symptom score (VPSS). Is it an effective alternative for the assessment of lower urinary tract symptoms? Experience in a reference center in southeastern Mexico

“…A result in our study that does not coincide with what has been published about these two scales, is that we did not find a significant correlation between VPSS and Qmax, nor between IPSS and Qmax; as in the study published by Setthawong et al (8) where VPSS did have a statistically significant correlation with uroflowmetry rate, residual urine and prostate size than IPSS.…”

Correlation evaluation of the international prostate symptom score (IPSS), visual prostate symptom score (VPSS), and modified visual prostate symptom score (mVPSS) in Thai males with benign prostatic hyperplasia

“…In the other direction, this research had no correlation to frequency score between the IPSS and VPSS in the low-educated group, but the study showed a significant correlation to frequency score between the IPSS and mVPSS in all patients, which is the same as the previous research, "To investigate the correlation between the visual prostate symptom score, the international prostate symptom score, and uroflowmetry parameters in adult Thai males of different educational levels," a study by Setthawong, V. et al 7 . In addition, we found out that the loweducated group required more assistance to complete the IPSS, VPSS and mVPSS questionnaires than the high-educated group, and most patients mentioned that the mVPSS was easier to understand and needed less time to be completed.…”

“…On the other hand, in Thailand, Pim-pon Hongthong found that the VPSS was statistically significantly related to the IPSS only in high-educated Thai patients 6 . Moreover, Vasun Setthawong, et al showed that the VPSS was statistically significantly related to the IPSS and uroflowmetry parameters but surprisingly low-educated patients felt that the IPSS was easier than the VPSS 7 . For these reasons, the modified visual prostate symptom score (mVPSS) was created by this study according to the VPSS.…”

How international is the International Prostate Symptom Score? A literature review of validated translations of the IPSS, the most widely used self‐administered patient questionnaire for male lower urinary tract symptoms

“…Men with limited education can complete the VPSS faster and unassisted compared to the IPSS. The VPSS has seen increasing study in recent years, with good correlation to the IPSS demonstrated in countries including Thailand, 59 India, 60 Turkey, 61 Indonesia, 62 Uganda, 63 South Africa 64 and South Korea 65 …”