DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF A NOCTURIA SINGLE QUESTION SCALE AS A PREDICTOR OF SEVERITY OF LOWER URINARY TRACT SYMPTOMS IN MEN

Abstract

ABSTRACTObjectivesTo evaluated the accuracy of a single question on nocturia to identify men with moderate and severe LUTS.MethodsWe evaluated men aged ≥40 years who presented for medical evaluation at two different urological clinics. They completed the IPSS and the Nocturia Single Question Scale (NSQS). NSQS consists of a single question assessing nocturia frequency ranging from 0 to 4. The severity of LUTS using NSQS (index test) versus IPSS (reference standard) was assessed according to the recommendations of the Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy Initiative.ResultsThe accuracy of the NSQS to discriminate patients with severe LUTS based on the ROC curve was 75% (CI 95% 73 – 82%; p<0.001).ConclusionPatients without nocturia or a single void/night (NSQS <2) have low probability, while NSQS ≥ 3 has a high probability of having moderate or severe LUTS. NSQS is an acceptable alternative to the IPSS, being a fast and simple tool to identify men according to LUTS’s severity.