Modified Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) Specific Quality of Life Scale and IPSS in Assessment of Quality of Life in Lower Urinary Tract Symptom Patients due to BPH

Abstract

Introduction: Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) in association with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) are common in elderly males. Almost half of this age group over fifth-decade of age complain of moderate to severe degree of LUTS which impedes their Quality of Life (QoL). Aim: To assess the QoL in patients with LUTS due to BPH and compare the outcomes on modified BPH-QoL scale and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) scale. Materials and Methods: An observational study was conducted from November 2019 to November 2020. A total of 400 men were selected for the study. The responses on both the scales (IPSS and BPH specific QoL scale) were noted and the total score was calculated. The BPH-specific QoL was compared with the IPSS scale by using the Pearson coefficient relation test. Results: Most men were in age group 50-60 years with median age of 58 years. The correlation of BPH-specific QoL scale questions with QoL question of IPSS was found to be statistically significant. The correlation coefficients of BPH-specific QoL questionnaire were found to be r=0.560 (p<0.0001) with the total IPSS and r=0.376 (p<0.0001) with the QoL score of IPSS. The reliability i.e., Cronbach’s alpha for BPH specific QoL was 0.879. Adverse symptoms of BPH in the form of fear of cancer and fear for surgery were noted while conducting the study. Conclusion: The correlation of BPH specific QoL scale and IPSS was found to be statistically significant. The BPH specific QoL scale is very useful and more comprehensive in addressing the QoL in patients with LUTS due to BPH than the IPSS scale. The BPH specific QoL scale was brief and easy to administer. It is the first study in India to use the BPH specific QoL scale to assess QoL and compare it with IPSS.