Assessment of patients with prostate cancer and their understanding of the international prostate symptom score questionnaire Journal Article
| Authors: | Gewanter, R. M.; Sandhu, J. S.; Tin, A. L.; Gross, J. P.; Mazzarella, K.; Urban, J.; Elsebai, N.; Hopkins, M. F.; Vickers, A. J.; Zelefsky, M. J. |
| Article Title: | Assessment of patients with prostate cancer and their understanding of the international prostate symptom score questionnaire |
| Abstract: | Purpose: The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is a widely used tool for evaluating patient-reported lower urinary tract symptoms. In this study, we assessed patients with prostate cancer and their understanding of IPSS questions. Methods and Materials: Consecutive patients with prostate cancer (N = 144) self-completed an online IPSS questionnaire within 1 week before their visit at our radiation oncology clinic. At the visit, a nurse reviewed each IPSS question to ensure the patient understood it and then verified the patient's answer. Preverified and nurse-verified scores were recorded and analyzed for discrepancies. Results: Complete concordance between preverified and nurse-verified responses to individual IPSS questions existed for 70 men (49%). In terms of overall IPSS score, 61 men (42%) had a lower or improved IPSS after nurse verification, and 9 men (6%) had a higher or worse IPSS. Before verification, patients overstated their symptoms of frequency, intermittency, and incomplete emptying. As a result of the nurse verification, 4 of 7 patients with IPSS in the severe range (20-35) were recategorized to the moderate range (8-19). Sixteen percent of patients whose preverified IPSS were in the moderate range were recategorized after nurse verification to the mild range (0-7). Treatment option eligibility changed for 10% of patients after nurse verification. Conclusions: Patients frequently misunderstand the IPSS questionnaire, leading them to respond in ways that do not accurately reflect their symptoms. Clinicians should verify patient understanding of the IPSS questions, particularly when using the score to determine eligibility for treatments. © 2023 The Authors |
| Keywords: | adult; aged; major clinical study; cancer patient; cancer radiotherapy; clinical assessment; prostate cancer; questionnaire; disease severity; radiation oncology; urinary frequency; brachytherapy; urinary urgency; androgen deprivation therapy; comprehension; micturition disorder; nurse; lower urinary tract symptom; patient-reported outcome; nocturia; impaired bladder emptying; international prostate symptom score; human; male; article |
| Journal Title: | Advances in Radiation Oncology |
| Volume: | 8 |
| Issue: | 4 |
| ISSN: | 2452-1094 |
| Publisher: | Elsevier Inc. |
| Date Published: | 2023-07-01 |
| Start Page: | 101200 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.adro.2023.101200 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| PMCID: | PMC10196226 |
| PUBMED: | 37213479 |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | The MSK Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA008748) is acknowledged in the PDF. Corresponding author is MSK author Richard M. Gewanter -- Source: Scopus |
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