Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection Symptom Scale: A Tailored Patient-Reported Outcome Measure

What is it about?

The study developed and validated a new patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) called the Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection Symptom Scale (RUTISS) to evaluate the patient experience of recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) symptom severity. The RUTISS was designed to supplement clinical testing methods, providing a comprehensive assessment of the patient experience of rUTI symptom burden, while enhancing patient-centered UTI management and monitoring. The RUTISS was developed using a three-stage methodology, including a Delphi study with international expert clinicians, cognitive interviews with a diverse patient sample, and a pilot study with patients across 24 countries. The RUTISS is a 28-item questionnaire with excellent reliability and validity, and it is the first PROM to specifically assess the rUTI patient experience and prioritize the importance of rUTI self-report. The RUTISS has the potential to improve our understanding and treatment of rUTI, and it could be used to establish interventions that improve treatment provisions for people with rUTI.

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Why is it important?

This research is important because it develops and validates the first patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for assessing and evaluating the patient experience of recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI) symptom severity. This measure is designed to supplement clinical testing methods, allowing for a comprehensive and patient-centered approach to UTI management and monitoring. By incorporating the patient perspective, this tool can aid in shared-decision making and help assess the effectiveness of rUTI treatments and interventions. Key Takeaways: 1. The Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection Symptom Scale (RUTISS) is a 28-item questionnaire that evaluates patient-reported rUTI symptoms and pain, providing a unique opportunity to inform and enhance patient-centered UTI management and monitoring. 2. The RUTISS demonstrates strong psychometric properties and readability, meeting or surpassing all applicable COSMIN recommendations. 3. The RUTISS is the first PROM to specifically assess the rUTI patient experience, capturing symptoms more typically associated with a recurrent experience of UTI, and providing a superior alternative to existing measures like the UTISA and ACSS. 4. The use of the RUTISS can improve our understanding and treatment of rUTI, ultimately leading to better patient outcomes and more effective shared-decision making.