Reliability and responsiveness of the Urgency Severity and Life Impact Questionnaire (USIQ)

Introduction and hypothesis The aims of this study are (1) to assess the reliability (test-retest) of the Urgency Severity and Life Impact Questionnaire (USIQ) and (2) to test the effect of extended-release tolterodine on symptoms of urinary urgency using this validated instrument. Methods To measure reliability, women with overactive bladder (OAB) completed the USIQ on two separate occasions, prior to treatment for OAB. To assess the responsiveness, the USIQ participants completed the above-mentioned questionnaires prior to and following 4 weeks of treatment for OAB with extended-release tolterodine. Results USIQ-S and USIQ-QoL scores at the two visits did not differ significantly. Repeated measures of USIQ-S and USIQ-QoL demonstrated a moderate to excellent intraclass correlation coefficient (0.64-0.74; P<0.0001 and 0.48-0.91, P<0.0001, respectively). A significant decrease in mean USIQ-S and USIQ-QOL (71 +/- 14 vs. 44 +/- 19, P<0.0001 and 51 +/- 22 vs. 39 +/- 10, P<0.01, respectively) scores following treatment with tolterodine. Conclusions This valid, reliable measure can be used in clinical practice and research trials to measure urgency severity.