Is New Visual Prostate Symptom Score Useful as International Prostate Symptom Score in the Evaluation of Men With Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms? A Prospective Comparison of 2 Symptom Scores in Turkish Society

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the correlation between the visual prostate symptom score (VPSS) and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and uroflowmetry parameters in Turkish men with lower urinary tract symptoms. MATERIAL Between September 2013 and March 2014, a total of 191 patients who were admitted to the hospital with lower urinary tract symptoms were enrolled in the study. After the routine tests were performed, the patients were requested to fill the IPSS questionnaire consisting of 8 questions and the VPSS questionnaire consisting of 4 questions. Peak (Qmax) and average (Qave) urinary flow rates were measured. RESULTS Mean age value was 62.8 years (range, 43-84 years). The education level was divided into 3 groups as follows: groups 1, 2, and 3 consisting of 98 patients (51.3%) with formal schooling (18 years education), 61 patients (31.9%) with 9-12 years education, and 32 patients (16.8%) with college or university education, respectively. There was a positive correlation between the total IPSS and the total VPSS (r = 0.72; P < .001). There was a negative correlation between the Qmax values and both the total IPSS (r = -0.53; P < .001) and the total VPSS (r = -0.3; P < .01), separately. The questionnaire was completed without any assistance by 25 (25.5%), 33 (54.1%), and 27 (84.4%) men for the IPSS and by 76 (77.6%), 54 (88.5%), and 31 (96.9%) men for the VPSS in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. CONCLUSION The VPSS correlates significantly with the IPSS and can be reliably used in the elderly and low-educated patients for the assessment of symptom severity in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc.