Validation of the Spanish version of the Bladder Pain/Interstitial Cystitis-Symptom Score (BPIC-SS) questionnaire. A useful tool for the diagnosis of bladder pain syndrome

Abstract

ObjectivesValidation of the Spanish version of the Bladder Pain/Interstitial Cystitis-Symptom Score (BPIC-SS) questionnaire to evaluate its utility for the diagnosis of bladder pain syndrome (BPS) patients in the Female and Urodynamics Urology Functional Units in Spain. Material and methodsThe Spanish adaptation of the BPIC-SS questionnaire was evaluated in 243 BPS patients. EQ-5D-5L, patient perception of bladder condition (PPBC) and global impression questionnaire (CGI-S) were collected. Consistency, test-retest reliability in patients without clinical changes at 15 days, criterion validity and sensitivity to change were assessed in BPS patients with clinical changes at 6 months. The cut-off point for discriminating BPS patients from other similar pathologies (overactive bladder or other urinary pathologies) was analyzed using ROC curve. ResultsMean (SD) BPIC-SS score (0–38) was 16.2 (12.0) points. Cronbach's alpha was 0.92 and intraclass coefficient correlation (ICC) was 0.82, ranging from 0.5 to 0.9 per item. Convergent validity determined a Spearman correlation of 0.63 with PPBC and −0.40 with EQ-5D-5L Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the effect size obtained in patients who improved their clinical status was 1.9. A score greater than or equal to 12 points in the BPIC-SS has been established as the best cut-off point for the diagnosis of BPS (87.5% sensitivity and 91.9% specificity). ConclusionsThe Spanish version of the BPIC-SS is a valid and reliable instrument for the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with BPS in Spain.