The conceptualization and development of a patient-reported neurogenic bladder symptom score

Research and Reports in Urology, 2013 · DOI: 10.2147/RRU.S51020 · Published: October 9, 2013

Simple Explanation

This study addresses the need for a specific tool to measure symptoms and effects of neurogenic bladder dysfunction reported by patients. The researchers created a new questionnaire by reviewing existing tools, interviewing patients, and gathering expert opinions. The goal is to create a tool that can distinguish between patients with varying levels of bladder symptoms and is responsive to changes after treatment.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

16 adult patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
The study identified eight quality of life measures and 29 symptom-specific instruments related to neurogenic bladder.
2
Interviews with 16 patients revealed that urinary incontinence, urinary tract infections, urgency, and bladder spasms were dominant themes.
3
External experts reviewed 25 proposed items, and questions with high importance and agreement ratings were retained.

Research Summary

The study aimed to develop a patient-reported neurogenic bladder symptom score (NBSS) to quantify urinary symptoms and complications in patients with neurogenic bladder dysfunction. The development process involved item generation through literature review, patient interviews, and expert opinion, followed by judgment-based item reduction by a multidisciplinary expert group. The resulting proposed NBSS, consisting of 25 items, demonstrated face and content validity and is undergoing further testing to assess its measurement properties.

Practical Implications

Improved Assessment

The NBSS promises a standardized and interpretable tool for assessing neurogenic bladder symptoms, addressing the limitations of existing generic instruments.

Clinical Trials

The NBSS can serve as an important endpoint in clinical trials, allowing for the evaluation of therapeutic interventions in neurogenic bladder patients.

Personalized Treatment

The NBSS can help clinicians to measure specific clinical changes and to deliver personalized treatment based on specific subscales.

Study Limitations

1
The development process was limited to English language and a Canadian cultural setting, potentially limiting international generalizability.
2
The study acknowledges the exclusion of complex topics like renal failure and autonomic dysreflexia due to the limitations of a PROM.
3
Further study is required to examine the domain structure and to establish the construct validity and reliability of the NBSS.

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