Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) have a detrimental effect on quality-of-life (QoL).
However, sufferers are often reluctant to seek help. Screening for LUTS will identify patients with bothersome symptoms who may benefit from treatment and allow patients to self-assess their symptoms and the need for medical intervention, potentially saving costly medical time and reducing long-term morbidity. The aim of this study was to compare the value of two validated questionnaires: the Bladder Control Self Assessment Questionnaire (B-SAQ) and the Overactive Bladder Awareness Tool (OAB-V8) as screening questionnaires in clinical practice. A total of 223 women were recruited prospectively from three centres. Participants completed both questionnaires in the waiting area prior to assessment by a clinician, who completed a symptom evaluation sheet. Data were analysed using receiver operating characteristic curves. Both the B-SAQ and the OAB-V8 performed well in detecting symptoms of OAB and mixed urinary symptoms. The B-SAQ performed better in detecting symptoms of stress incontinence than the OAB-V8. The opportunity to screen for haematuria should never be missed and this is an important omission from the OAB-V8.
Written by:
Basra RK, Cortes E, Khullar V, Kelleher C. Are you the author?
Departments of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Guys and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Reference: J Obstet Gynaecol. 2012 Oct;32(7):666-71.
doi: 10.3109/01443615.2012.696158
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22943714
UroToday.com Overactive Bladder (OAB) Section

This webpage is supported through an unrestricted educational grant from Bayer. Bayer is not involved in content development and the views expressed represent those of the patient and physician contributors.

