American Urological Association (AUA) symptom index is a self-help questionaire that helps men gauge the severity of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). The test asks 7 questions related to common symptoms of BPH.

The frequency of each symptom is then rated on a scale of 1 to 5. These numbers added together provide a score that is used to evaluate the severity of a man's enlarged prostate. An AUA score of 0 to 7 indicates a mild condition; 8 to 19 indicates a moderate condition; and 20 to 35 indicates a severe urinary problem.

Questions:

1. Had the sensation of not completely emptying your bladder after you finished urinating?
2. Had to urinate again less than 2 hours after you finished urinating?
3. Found that you stopped and started again several times when you urinated?
4. Found it difficult to postpone urination?
5. Had a weak urinary stream?
6. Had to push or strain to begin urination?
7. Had to get up to urinate from the time you went to bed at night until you got up in the morning?

For questions 1 to 6 use the following point scale:

• 0 = Not at all
• 1 = Less than once in 5 times you have urinated
• 2 = Less than half the time
• 3 = About half the time
• 4 = More than half the time
• 5 = Almost always

For question 7 use the following point scale:

• 0 = None
• 1 = 1 time
• 2 = 2 times
• 3 = 3 times
• 4 = 4 times
• 5 = 5 times or more

An eighth question asks about the quality of life:

8. If you were to spend the rest of your life with your urinary condition just the way it is now, how would you feel about that?

• Delighted
• Pleased
• Mostly satisfied
• Mixed
• Mostly dissatisfied
• Unhappy
• Terrible

Add up the scores. 0 to 7 is mild, 8 to 19 is moderate, and over 20 is considered severe.