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.