Psychometric properties of the Male Urogenital Distress Inventory (MUDI) and Male Urinary Symptom Impact Questionnaire (MUSIQ) in patients following radical prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Research instruments can be used to assess the impact of lower urinary tract symptoms on health-related quality of life. Evaluating the reliability, validity, and sensitivity of two of these instruments provides evidence concerning their readiness for use in research and clinical settings. OBJECTIVE: The researchers evaluated psychometric properties of the Male Urogenital Distress Inventory and Male Urinary Symptom Impact Questionnaire in men suffering from lower urinary tract symptoms following radical prostatectomy. METHOD: The internal consistency reliability, concurrent validity, construct validity, and sensitivity of both instruments were evaluated in a cohort of men who participated in a larger study of nursing's impact on quality of life post-prostatectomy. RESULTS: The reliability, validity, and sensitivity of both instruments were supported in this population. CONCLUSIONS: Initial support is provided for use of the instruments to measure the effect of interventions for lower urinary tract symptoms and urine leakage on health-related quality of life during the first 6 months of recovery from radical prostatectomy; however, further research with a larger and more diverse sample is needed prior to using the instruments in clinical settings.