Reliability and Validity of the Thai Version of the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ-MLUTS) and the Prevalence of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Background: The high prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) both voiding and incontinence symptoms have been reported in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. However, the screening questionnaire the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (ICIQ-MLUTS) has not be available in Thai version. Objective: To evaluate the reliability and validity of the Thai version of ICIQ-MLUTS and determine the prevalence of LUTS in Thai men with COPD. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at COPD clinic, Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. Translations of Thai ICIQ-MLUTS were performed after obtaining permission from the ICIQ group. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity were evaluated, and the prevalence of LUTS was determined. Results: One hundred ninety-one men with stable COPD, mean age of 72±8 years (range of 45 to 94), were included. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was acceptable, with a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.709. Fifty-eight patients were evaluated for test-retest reliability at a median interval of 2.4 weeks (interquartile range 2.1, 3.0). The intraclass correlation coefficient of test-retest reliability was good at 0.798 (95% confidence interval 0.680 to 0.876). Construct validity using the Spearman’s correlation coefficient showed a strong correlation between the Thai version of ICIQ-MLUTS and the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) at 0.832 (p<0.001). The prevalence of LUTS, as determined by the Thai version of ICIQ-MLUTS, was high in 148 patients (77.5%), comprising voiding symptoms in 135 patients (70.7%), and incontinence symptoms in 93 patients (48.7%). The prevalence of urge urinary incontinence (UI) at 15.2%, was higher than that of stress UI, which was at 1.6%. Conclusion: The Thai version of the ICIQ-MLUTS has good reliability and validity. The prevalence of LUTS in Thai men with COPD was high. Questionnaire screening should be considered when detecting LUTS in patients with COPD.