Testing of the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) With Men After Radical Prostatectomy

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Abstract
Objective The objective of this study was to test the validity and reliability of the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7), a 7-item self-report instrument designed to assess the impact of urinary incontinence (UI), in men. Subjects Fifty-eight men with incontinence after radical prostatectomy were the subjects of the study. Methods Content validity was assessed by a panel of experts. Construct and criterion validity were examined with 3 groups of men who had UI in a randomized controlled trial comparing pelvic muscle exercises with pelvic muscle exercises plus electrical stimulation. Internal consistency and stability coefficients for the IIQ-7 were determined. Results The content validity index was 0.88. Four items were below the designated content validity index level. A 2-factor analysis solution (factor I—impact on daily activities; factor II—emotional impact) explained 84.94% of the variance. No significant group differences were recorded on impact of UI (F = 0.37, P = .70), nor were any differences among subjects found over time (F = 0.90, P = .50). A positive relationship was found between grams of urine loss on a 24-hour pad test and IIQ-7 scores (r = 0.34, P = .003 to .51, P = .001). When the IIQ-7 score decreased, self-reported quality of life improved as measured by the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Version 2 (r = −0.57, P = .0001 to −.49, P = .001). A strong relationship was found between responses to the question “Does leakage affect your life?” and the IIQ-7 scores. Internal consistency ranged between 0.88 and 0.92. IIQ-7 scores were consistent when urine loss was stabilized between 16 and 24 weeks after entry into the study (r = 0.89, P = .0001). Conclusion The IIQ-7 is a reliable measure of the impact of UI; however, the scale requires additional testing regarding construct validity in men. (J WOCN 2000;27:304–12.)