The correlation between bladder outlet obstruction and lower urinary tract symptoms as measured by the international prostate symptom score.

PURPOSE We studied the relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms as measured by the international prostate symptom score (I-PSS) and urodynamic findings in elderly men. MATERIALS AND METHODS We evaluated 803 consecutive patients with lower urinary tract symptoms via the I-PSS and urodynamics with pressure-flow studies. RESULTS A statistically significant correlation was found between all I-PSS questions (except intermittency) and objective parameters of obstruction. However, the clinical significance of this finding is minimal because a large overlap of symptom scores exists among patients with different grades of bladder outlet obstruction. The filling component of the I-PSS correlated somewhat better with obstruction than did the voiding component. CONCLUSIONS It seems impossible to diagnosis bladder outlet obstruction from symptoms alone. It does not even seem possible to define subgroups in which further urodynamic examination is indicated.