Introduction & Objectives: To present the relationship between the education level of patients and recording of IPSS questionnaire that is used for evaluation of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).
Material & Methods: 196 patients who admitted to our clinic for LUTS from Jan 2014 to June 2015 were included in the study. The patients were divided into three groups according to their level of education as primary (group 1), secondary (group 2) and higher (group 3) education groups. Patients were asked to complete the IPSS form. We noted the time of filling and the demand of help for filling the IPSS form. The total IPSS scores and Qmax values were compared between three groups.
Results: The mean age of patients was 61,4 (42-83) years. Group 1 consisted of 78 (39%) patients, group 2 consisted of 64 (32%) patients and group 3 consisted of 54 (28%) patients. The negative correlation was found between the Qmax values and IPSS scores. The filling time of IPPS form was 8,8 min, 7,4 min and 5,5 min respectively. The rates of patients who filled the forms without help were 20 (%25,6), 32 (%50), 44 (%81,4) respectively (p<0,005). Patients were divided into three groups according to their level of education as primary (group 1), secondary (group 2) and higher (group 3) education groups. Patients were asked to complete the IPSS form. We noted the time of filling and the demand of help for filling the IPSS form. The total IPSS scores and Qmax values were compared between three groups.
Conclusions: In our daily practice, the filling time of questionnaire forms are time consuming for patients with low levels of education and filling of form without assistance can give false results. An ideal form should be easy to complete, more understandable and less influenced from education levels.
