Design and Validation of the Marmara Post-prostatectomy Incontinence Symptom Score

Objective: This study aims to validate the “Marmara post-prostatectomy incontinence symptom score (M-PPISS)” designed for the assessment of post-prostatectomy incontinence (PPI). Materials and Methods: The questionnaire consists of 3 sections including 8 questions (4 questions examining the type and degree of PPI, 3 questions examining the effect of PPI on quality of life (QoL) and 1 question examining bladder emptying) and an analogue scale to assess the impact of PPI on the QoL. The questionnaire was completed by 106 patients, who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP) in our clinic between 2007 and 2015, at the end of the first week, first month and at 3-month intervals up to one year after RP. Results: The mean score of 106 patients at the end of the first week after the operation was 6.57 (minimum: 0, maximum: 24). The internal consistency coefficient measured for our questionnaire was found to be higher (Cronbach’s alpha: 0.887). When an item was deleted, Cronbach’s alpha was not lower than 0.85 for any value. According to the 27% rule, p value was calculated as 0.0001. In the numerical evaluation of total score and the analogue scale considering QoL (satisfaction and dissatisfaction); patients with a total score of 0-4 were accepted as “satisfied with QoL”, while patients with a total score of ≥5 were included in the dissatisfied group (cut-off value: 5). Conclusion: The M-PPISS was found to be a reliable and valid instrument in the evaluation of urinary incontinence after RP.