Correlation of the International Prostate Symptom Score with Uroflowmetric Findings and Prostate Volume

Lee, Sang Cheol; Lee, Hyung Lae; Kim, Yong Tae; Kim, Wun Jae

Abstract

PURPOSE: The present study was performed to assess whether the subjective information of the international prostate symptom score(I-PSS) correlated with prostate volume and uroflowmetric findings and could predict the degree of flowmetric impairment.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
To establish the relationship among I-PSS, uroflowmetric findings, and prostate volume, we surveyed community-based samples of 600 men over the age 50. The questionnaire of Korean version of I-PSS was shared and self completed. The flow rate was measured by a portable device with at least more than a voided volume of 100, then the prostate volume was estimated by transrectal ultrasonography. The participants were categorized as obstructed or non-obstructed according to the uroflowmetric findings. The I-PSS and all individual components were compared with peak flow rate, average flow rate, and prostatic volume, and to the uroflowmetric categories. The I-PSS severity categories(mild 0-7, moderate 8-19, and severe> or =20) were also compared to the uroflowmetric assorted groups.
RESULTS
Mean age of the 600 men was 64.3 years(ranging 50-88 years), and 37.7%, 40.7%, and 21.6% of them had mild, moderate, and severe symptoms, respectively. 164 men(27.3%) had uroflowmetrically impaired flow rate set on the basis of 10ml/s. Subject age was significantly associated with I-PSS, peak flow late, and prostatic volume. Significant correlation was found in any I-PSS parameters with uroflowmetric findings, but no correlation with prostate volume. I-PSS severity groups, when compared to the uroflowmetric groups, showed a statistically significant relationship. When the multivariate linear regression analysis was applied to determine the variable, which best predicted uroflowmetric obstruction, age was the most significant predictor of the uroflowmetric findings.
CONCLUSIONS
I-PSS correlated with objective data from the uroflowmetry. Although I-PSS has been known to be neither an accurate tool nor specific for the diagnosis of BPH, it may be useful to evaluate and predict the severity of uroflowmetric impairment.