Abstract
We are pleased to be given the opportunity to state our opinions about the editorial comment. 1 Barry MJ. 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 [Editorial Comment]. Urology. 2015;85:653-658. Google Scholar The relevance of symptom scores in choosing the correct treatment modality and to monitor the patient afterward is controversial. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is a validated and standard questionnaire for the objective assessment of lower urinary tract symptoms throughout the world, currently. However, IPSS scores of different patients are not directly comparable because of interindividual differences about perception and understanding of the symptoms and the questions. 2 van der Walt C.L. Heyns C.F. Groeneveld A.E. et al. Prospective comparison of a new prostate symptom score versus the international prostate symptom score in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. Urology. 2011; 78: 17-21 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (47) Google Scholar As we have stated in the text, the problems related with the IPSS are not only limited with low-education levels but also with difficulties in reading and interpreting writings, especially in small prints and especially for elderly patients. 3 Cam K. BPH: how useful is a visual prostate symptom score for patients?. Nat Rev Urol. 2011; 8: 536-537 Crossref PubMed Scopus (11) Google Scholar , 4 Oztürk M.I. Koca O. Keleş M.O. et al. International prostate symptom score: really appreciated by all patients or not?. Urol J. 2011; 8: 227-230 PubMed Google Scholar Easily administered questionnaires using simple single-item questions planned to solve the problem were advanced recently. 5 Cam K. Senel F. Akman Y. Erol A. The efficacy of an abbreviated model of the International Prostate Symptom Score in evaluating benign prostatic hyperplasia. BJU Int. 2003; 91: 186-189 Crossref PubMed Scopus (20) Google Scholar Editorial CommentUrologyVol. 85Issue 3PreviewStandardized questionnaires can be used to record the manifestations of an illness from the patient's perspective. These data can be used to measure symptom severity, predict prognosis, and quantify the response to treatment. Although symptoms are fundamentally subjective, well-designed questionnaires can measure them objectively. In fact, in the assessment of the impact of benign prostatic hyperplasia, measures of symptom severity can be more reproducible over time than measures often thought to be more objective, such as peak uroflow rates and prostate-specific antigen levels. Full-Text PDF
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
