Introduction and hypothesis: Little evidence is available concerning the ability of women with urinary incontinence (UI) to properly assess their problem. This study compared women's assessments of their UI type with physicians' diagnoses.
Methods: Women referred to a urogynecology clinic for UI were asked to anonymously answer a short validated Questionnaire for Urinary Incontinence Diagnosis (QUID) before their physician visit. Women completed the QUID and read a brief explanation of its interpretation, after which they were asked to choose their UI type: stress, urge, or mixed. Physicians, blinded to patients' answers, conducted routine examinations and indicated their diagnoses of incontinence types. Sample size was representative of typical clinic volumes. Levels of agreement among physician diagnoses, QUID scores, and patient self-assessments of UI type were calculated with kappa (κ) statistics. Physician diagnosis was the gold standard.
Results: We had 497 patients return the questionnaire; 338 met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 53 (± 13) years. Levels of agreement among physician diagnoses and patients' assessments of UI type (κ=0.411, p<0.01) and QUID scores (κ=0.378, p<0.01) were significant. Significant level of agreement was found among QUID scores and patients' assessments of UI type (κ=0.497, p<0.001).
Conclusions: With aid of a brief standardized questionnaire, women can accurately assess their UI type. This suggests women could be educated about UI via good-quality Internet health sites and choose appropriate conservative management options.