International Prostate Symptom Score
Encyclopedia
The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is an 8 question (7 symptom questions + 1 quality of life question) written screening tool used to screen for, rapidly diagnose, track the symptoms of, and suggest management of the symptoms of the disease benign prostatic hyperplasia
(BPH). Created in 1992 by the American Urological Association
, it originally lacked the 8th QOL question, hence its original name: the American Urological Association symptom score (AUA-7).
The 7 symptoms questions include feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
, frequency, intermittency, urgency
, weak stream, straining and nocturia
, each referring to during the last month, and each involving assignment of a score from 1 to 5 for a total of maximum 35 points. The 8th question of quality of life
is assigned a score of 1 to 6.
The IPSS was designed to be self-administered by the patient, with speed and ease in mind. Hence, it can be used in both urology clinics as well as the clinics of primary care physicians (i.e. by general practitioners) for the diagnosis of BPH.
Additionally, the IPSS can be performed multiple times to compare the progression of symptoms and their severity over months and years.
In addition to diagnosis and charting disease progression, the IPSS is effective in helping to determine treatment for patients.
Or see: http://www.usrf.org/questionnaires/AUA_SymptomScore.html
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Benign prostatic hyperplasia also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy , benign enlargement of the prostate , and adenofibromyomatous hyperplasia, refers to the increase in size of the prostate....
(BPH). Created in 1992 by the American Urological Association
American Urological Association
The American Urological Association is a professional association in the United States for urology professionals.-Awards:*Hugh Hampton Young Award. Presented annually to an individual for outstanding contributions to the study of genitourinary tract disease. This award is sponsored by Karl Storz...
, it originally lacked the 8th QOL question, hence its original name: the American Urological Association symptom score (AUA-7).
| Score | Correlation |
|---|---|
| 0-7 | Mildly symptomatic |
| 8-19 | Moderately symptomatic |
| 20-35 | Severely symptomatic |
The 7 symptoms questions include feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
Vesical tenesmus
Vesical tenesmus refers to the feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder following urination.When the word tenesmus is used without modification, it usually refers to rectal tenesmus....
, frequency, intermittency, urgency
Urinary urgency
Urinary urgency is a sudden, compelling urge to urinate. It is often, though not necessarily, associated with urinary incontinence, polyuria, nocturia, and interstitial cystitis. It tends to increase with age...
, weak stream, straining and nocturia
Nocturia
Nocturia , also called nycturia , is the need to get up in the night to urinate, thus interrupting sleep. Its occurrence is more frequent in pregnant women and in the elderly...
, each referring to during the last month, and each involving assignment of a score from 1 to 5 for a total of maximum 35 points. The 8th question of quality of life
Quality of life
The term quality of life is used to evaluate the general well-being of individuals and societies. The term is used in a wide range of contexts, including the fields of international development, healthcare, and politics. Quality of life should not be confused with the concept of standard of...
is assigned a score of 1 to 6.
The IPSS was designed to be self-administered by the patient, with speed and ease in mind. Hence, it can be used in both urology clinics as well as the clinics of primary care physicians (i.e. by general practitioners) for the diagnosis of BPH.
Additionally, the IPSS can be performed multiple times to compare the progression of symptoms and their severity over months and years.
In addition to diagnosis and charting disease progression, the IPSS is effective in helping to determine treatment for patients.
External links
The IPSS is available free-of-charge on the Internet. See: http://www.gp-training.net/protocol/docs/ipss.docOr see: http://www.usrf.org/questionnaires/AUA_SymptomScore.html