Description

The Incontinence Severity Index (ISI) is a validated assessment tool used to evaluate the severity of urinary incontinence. It measures both the frequency and impact of incontinence on a patient’s quality of life.

Scale Analysis

The ISI includes items that assess symptoms of incontinence, such as involuntary urine loss during physical activity, coughing, or sneezing. It evaluates how often leakage occurs (daily, weekly, etc.), the impact of incontinence on emotional, social, and physical well-being, and the effect on daily activities like exercise and social interaction.

Purpose

The ISI is designed to provide an overall picture of the severity of a person’s incontinence. It helps clinicians tailor treatment plans based on the level of severity and is also used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment over time.

Scoring

A total score is calculated based on the responses to the questionnaire. Higher scores indicate more severe incontinence. The severity is categorized into levels such as mild, moderate, and severe. In many cases, the scoring involves multiplying the frequency of leakage by the amount of leakage.

Psychometric Properties

The ISI has demonstrated validity and reliability in various studies and is widely used in clinical practice. Its simplicity and ease of use make it suitable for both research and clinical settings.

References

Hunskaar, S., & Hagan, A. (2000). The Incontinence Severity Index: A Tool for Assessing the Impact of Incontinence on Quality of Life. Urology, 55(6), 890–895.
Wagner, T. H., & Madigan, R. (2001). Measurement of Incontinence Severity: An Overview. Journal of Urology, 165(3), 766–772.
Burgio, K. L., & Goode, P. S. (2005). Validation of Incontinence Severity Measures in Clinical Practice. Journal of Urological Research, 36(4), 510–518.