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American Urological Society (AUA) symptom index
Clinical significance:
- management of benign prostatic hypertrophy depends on the severity of symptoms & whether or not the patient is bothered by these symptoms
Procedure:
Severity of symptoms may be assessed by the AUA symptom index, a scale with 7 items concerning urinary symptoms 'during the past month or so'.
The questions address:
1) not emptying the bladder
2) frequency of less than 2 hours
3) stopping & starting urination
4) difficulty postponing urination
5) weak urinary stream
6) having to push or strain to begin urination
7) nighttime urination
The 1st 6 questions are scored:
0 = not at all
1 = < 1 time in 5
2 = < 1/2 the time
3 = > 1/2 the time
4 = almost always
The nighttime urination score is the typical number of times the person gets up at night to urinate.
All of the items are summed for a total score.
Test interpretation:
0: asymptomatic
1-7: mildly symptomatic
8-19: moderately symptomatic
> 20: severely symptomatic
Mildly symptomatic patients are generally managed with watchful waiting [3]
Notes:
- compare with International Prostate Symptom Score
Related
American Urological Association (AUA)
benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS)
General
numerical rating scale (NRS)
References
- UCLA Intensive Course in Geriatric Medicine & Board Review,
Marina Del Ray, CA, Sept 12-15, 2001
- Barry MJ et al
The American Urological Association symptom index for benign
prostatic hyperplasia. The Measurement Committee of the
American Urological Association.
J Urol 148:1549, 1992
PMID: 1279218
- Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 17,
American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 2015