The Arabic version of the original (long-form) neurogenic bladder symptoms score validity and reliability in patients with lower urinary tract disorders: A multi-center evaluation.

Background: The long (original) form of neurogenic bladder symptoms score (NBSS) entails full assessment of the neurogenic status of the patient that is not included in the short form. The aim of this study was to examine the psychometric qualities of the Arabic NBSS among those suffering from neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction (NLUTS).

Methods: The Arabic-language study included patients with NLUTS. Among the psychometric attributes that were looked at were construct validity, content validity, internal consistency, and test-retest dependability. Cronbach's alpha and the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) were used, respectively, to assess internal consistency and test-retest reliability. In order to evaluate construct validity, the Qualiveen questionnaire was compared to the NBSS.

Results: The study included 255 NLUTS patients. The internal consistency of the NBSS overall score was found to be variable, with Cronbach's α of 0.82 for both the overall score and each of its subdomains (urinary incontinence: 0.94, storage/voiding: 0.86, consequences: 0.88). Thirty days (±3.6 days) after the baseline version, 233/247 (84%) patients completed and returned their questionnaires for test-retest reliability. The overall score had an ICC of 0.92, while the subdomains of storage/voiding, urine incontinence, and repercussions had ICCs of 0.92, 0.83, and 0.80, respectively. The correlation study demonstrated the strong construct validity of the Arabic NBSS-SF version.

Conclusion: Relevant psychometric characteristics, including content, construct test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and validity, can be found in the Arabic version of the NBSS. The NBSS in Arabic is appropriate for usage in study and clinical contexts.

Clinical trial registration no: H1R1-27-Dec22-01-MKSU 51-1-16.