A Swedish version of a quality of life questionnaire for partners of men with symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction

Abstract

Objectives. Little is known about the quality of life experienced by the partners of men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic obstruction (BPO). The aims of this study were to translate a specific quality of life questionnaire for partners to patients with benign prostatic enlargement (BPE)/BPO to swedish and to test its reliability and responsiveness. A secondary aim was to evaluate the impact the patients’ urinary symptoms have on their partners’ specific quality of life. Material and methods. This study was conducted using two groups: a reliability partner group; and a responsiveness/evaluation partner group. Both groups consisted of the partners of patients on the waiting list for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). The reliability of the quality of life questionnaire for the partners of men with BPE/BPO was tested in 51 partners, with a test–retest interval of 5 weeks. The partners’ specific quality of life and the responsiveness of the questionnaire were evaluated in 51 partners by administering the questionnaire before and 3 months after the patient's TURP. Results. At the test–retest, the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient for each question varied between 0.59 and 0.86 and Cronbach's α was 0.80. Partners were affected by the patients’ BPO symptoms. Compassion, worry about cancer and worry about an operation were the aspects of the specific quality of life that affected most partners (92%, 77% and 65%, respectively), whereas effects on spare time and household activities affected fewer partners: 35% and 24%, respectively. The specific quality of life among partners improved significantly after the patient's TURP. Conclusions. The Swedish version of a partner-specific quality of life questionnaire for men with LUTS suggestive of BPE/BPO had an acceptable reliability and responsiveness. Partners are affected by the patients’ symptoms, and it is emotional rather than practical aspects which most affect them.

• Benign prostatic enlargement
• benign prostatic obstruction
• lower urinary tract symptoms
• transurethral resection of the prostate
• partner
• quality of life
• questionnaire
• urinary symptoms