The National Institutes of Health chronic prostatitis symptom index provides a valid outcome measure for men with chronic prostatitis. The index is psychometrically robust, easily self-administered and highly discriminative. It was formally developed and psychometrically validated, and may be useful in clinical practice as well as research protocols.

Objectives-To date, separate condition-specific instruments have been used to assess symptom severity in men and women with urologic pain conditions. A single instrument for use in both men and women would be helpful for assessing treatment response in clinical trials and cohort studies involving both genders.Methods-We developed the Genitourinary Pain Index (GUPI) by modifying and adding questions to the NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index. To assess discriminant validity, concurrent validity, and reliability, we administered the GUPI to 1,653 men and 1,403 women in a large managed care population. To assess responsiveness, we administered the GUPI to 47 men and women who completed an NIH-sponsored trial of pelvic floor physical therapy.Results-The GUPI discriminated between men with chronic prostatitis or interstitial cystitis, men with other symptomatic conditions (dysuria, frequency, chronic cystitis), and men with none of these diagnoses (p<0.05). It also discriminated between women with interstitial cystitis, women with incontinence, and women with none of these diagnoses (p<0.05). The GUPI demonstrated good internal consistency within subscale domains, and GUPI scores correlated highly with scores on the Interstitial Cystitis Symptom Index and Problem Index. The GUPI was highly responsive to change, and thechange in score was similar in both male and female responders. A reduction of 7 points robustly predicted being a treatment responder (sensitivity 100%, specificity 76%).Conclusions-The GUPI is a valid, reliable and responsive instrument that can be used to assess the degree of symptoms in both men and women with genitourinary pain complaints.

Background-In men with chronic prostatitis-chronic pelvic pain syndrome, treatment with alphaadrenergic receptor blockers early in the course of the disorder has been reported to be effective in some, but not all, relatively small randomized trials.

The NIH-CPSI total score and pain and quality of life subscores are responsive to change over time.

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