[Concepts and assessment methods in lower urinary tract symptoms: From symptom score to Patient-Reported Outcomes and Outcomes (PRO)]

Abstract

Introduction: The evaluation of pelvic perineal treatments has changed significantly in recent years. Initially focused on the assessment of symptoms, quality of life or patient satisfaction, it has gradually turned to new concepts, such as Patient Reported Outcome (PRO) and Goal Attainment (GA).

Objective: To describe the different concepts and methods of assessment available, in recent years, in the context of urinary functional pathologies such as bladder overactivity or urinary incontinence.

Methods: We conducted a non-systematic literature review to identify the main questionnaires and tools available to evaluate treatment outcomes. Oncology and pediatrics questionnaire has been excluded.

Results: In functional pathology (overactive bladder or incontinence), the objective of treatment is to meet the expectations of patients and it is important to be able to assess the feelings of patients. In this context, new specific questionnaires have been developed to evaluate the PROs. For about ten years, these subjective criteria, are more and more widespread in the evaluation of treatments. A new field then appeared, namely Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) and Self Appreciation Goal Attainment (SAGA), allowing to determine with the patient, the expected objectives of the treatment.

Conclusion: These concepts of PRO and GAS open up a new domain in the evaluation of treatments, with a subjective view of the results. They deserve to be integrated into the usual, objective evaluations, in order to adapt the treatment of the patients, according to the real impact of the treatment.

Keywords: Goal Attainment; Goal attainment; Lower urinary tract symptoms; Patient reported Outcomes; Patient reported outcomes; Questionnaire; Questionnaires; Symptômes urinaires; Treatment evaluation; Évaluation des traitements.