International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) Test and Chart

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International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS)

The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) is an eight-question written screening tool used to screen for, rapidly diagnose, track the symptoms of, and suggest management of the lower urinary tract symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The IPSS uses seven questions related to symptoms related to BPH and one question related to perceived quality of life. Created in 1992 by the American Urological Association, the questionnaire lacked the eighth quality of life question, hence its original name: the American Urological Association symptom score (AUA-7). World Health Organization International Consultation on BPH adopted the "eight question" index and labeled it the IPSS.

Main Digest

The American Urological Association (AUA) developed the following questionnaire to help males determine problems with their urinary difficulties and check how effective treatment is. This chart has since been adopted worldwide and is known as the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS).

The International Prostate Symptom Score is based on the answers to urinary symptoms, and one question concerns your perceived quality of life. For each question, you choose one of the provided answers. The answers are assigned points from 0 to 5. Your total score ranges from 0 to 35 (asymptomatic to very symptomatic).

Symptom Score Point Scale

Use the following point scale when answering the questions.

• 0 points = You answered "never".
• 1 point = You answered "less than 1 out of 5 times".
• 2 points = You answered "less than half the time."
• 3 points = You answered "about half the time."
• 4 points = You answered "more than half the time."
• 5 points = You answered "almost always".

Symptom Score Questions

• Over the past month, how often have you had the feeling of not completely emptying your bladder after you finished urinating? (A male who had the feeling of not completely emptying his bladder less than half the time - but more than 1 out of 5 times - score 2 points.)
• Over the past month, how often have you had to urinate less than 2 hours again after you finished urinating?
• Over the past month, how often have you found that you stopped and started several times again when urinating?
• Over the past month, how often have you found it hard to hold your urine? (A male who found it hard to hold his urine less than once out of every five times - score 1 point.)
• Over the past month, how often have you had a weak urine stream?
• Over the past month, how often have you had to push or strain to begin urination?
• Over the past month, have you had to get up to urinate during the night? Give a score to the number of times you.
  • Did not get up at all - 0 points
  • You got up one time - 1 point
  • You got up two times - 2 points
  • You got up three times - 3 points
  • You got up four times - 4 points
  • You got up five times or more - 5 points.

Your Total Score

Reference your score to the chart below. Your total score shows the severity of your symptoms. Your total score can be used to develop a treatment plan if needed.

Quality of Life Scale

The International Scientific Committee (SCI), under the patronage of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Union Against Cancer (UICC), recommends the use of only a single question to assess the quality of life. Although this single question may or may not capture the global impact of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) symptoms or quality of life, it may serve as a valuable starting point for a doctor-patient conversation.

The answers to this question range from "delighted" to "terrible" or 0 to 6. If you were to spend the rest of your life with your urinary condition just the way it is now, how would you feel about that?

• Delighted
• Pleased
• Mostly satisfied
• Mixed
• Mostly dissatisfied
• Unhappy
• Terrible

Print the Fillable International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) Chart

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The Healthwise International Prostate Symptom Score is current as of February 10, 2021.

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• Prostate Glossary of Definitions
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• Male Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Levels and Chart
• Prostate Gland: Enlarged Symptoms, Cancer & Treatments
• Natural Remedies For Prostate Problems
• Erectile Dysfunction: Male Impotence Information

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