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Validity and reliability of the Greek version of the neurogenic bladder symptom score (NBSS) questionnaire in a sample of Greek patients with multiple sclerosis

World Journal of Urology volume 39, pages 2697–2702 (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Background and objectives

There is no data regarding validity and reliability of the Greek version of Neurogenic Bladder Symptom Score (NBSS) questionnaire. In this study we investigated these parameters using a sample of Greek patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Materials and methods

Patients with different types and severity of multiple sclerosis were recruited from a single center in Greece prospectively. All patients completed the MusiQoL and NBSS questionnaires at baseline and 20 days later, without receiving any new treatment. Construct validity, internal consistency and test–retest reliability were tested. Internal consistency was investigated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, while test–retest reliability using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Construct validity was assessed by comparing NBSS quality of life question 24 with MusiQoL questionnaire.

Results

A total of 91 patients were evaluated. The dimensions of NBSS exhibited high internal consistency, both for overall questionnaire score (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.91) and for every subdomain separately (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.95 for incontinence, 0.88 for storage symptoms and 0.74 for consequences). Test–retest reliability was satisfactory both for overall score [ICC of 0.85, (0.35–0.94), p < 0.001] and for every subdomain separately (ICC of 0.90 for incontinence, 0.83 for storage symptoms and 0.90 for consequences). Pearson’s correlation coefficient of question number 24 of the NBSS questionnaire regarding quality of life with the MusiQoL questionnaire revealed a moderate correlation [r = 0.64, (0.48–0.80), p < 0.0001].

Conclusions

The Greek version of NBSS appears to be a valid and reliable instrument for assessing neurogenic bladder symptoms in Greek population suffering from multiple sclerosis.

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Abbreviations

MS:

Multiple sclerosis

NBSS:

Neurogenic bladder symptom score

MusiQoL:

Multiple sclerosis international quality of life

HRQOL:

Health-related quality of life

ICC:

Intraclass correlation coefficient

PROs:

Patient reported outcome assessments

NLUTD:

Neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction

LUTS:

Lower urinary tract symptoms

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Funding

There was no funding support for the conduction of this paper.

Author information

Affiliations

  1. 2nd Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Sismanoglio Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Lazaros Tzelves & Andreas Skolarikos

  2. Department of Urology, General Hospital of Athens G. Gennimatas, Athens, Greece

    Ioannis Glykas & Charalampos Fragkoulis

  3. 1st Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Aiginiteio Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Dimos-Dimitrios Mitsikostas

  4. Department of Surgery and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON, Canada

    Blayne Welk

  5. 2nd Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Aretaieion Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Athanasios Dellis

  6. 1st Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Laiko Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece

    Athanasios Dellis

Authors
  1. Lazaros Tzelves
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  2. Ioannis Glykas
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  3. Charalampos Fragkoulis
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  4. Dimos-Dimitrios Mitsikostas
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  5. Andreas Skolarikos
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  6. Blayne Welk
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  7. Athanasios Dellis
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Correspondence to Ioannis Glykas or Athanasios Dellis.

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Tzelves, L., Glykas, I., Fragkoulis, C. et al. Validity and reliability of the Greek version of the neurogenic bladder symptom score (NBSS) questionnaire in a sample of Greek patients with multiple sclerosis. World J Urol 39, 2697–2702 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-020-03465-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00345-020-03465-9

Keywords

  • NBSS questionnaire
  • Greek validation
  • Urinary incontinence
  • Urinary bladder
  • Quality of life