Early 2019 will see two major advances in terminology under the auspices of the ICS Standardisation Steering Committee. These are (1) The ICS Report on the Terminology for Adult Male Lower Urinary Tract and Pelvic Floor Symptoms and Dysfunction; (2) The ICS Glossary.
The Terminology for Adult Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms and Dysfunction offers:
- First ever male-specific core Terminology document for Lower Urinary Tract and Pelvic Floor LUT/PF) symptoms and dysfunction.
- First comprehensive Male LUT/PF document involving Symptoms, Signs, Investigations, Imaging and Diagnoses.
- First update of male LUT/PF Terminology in 17 years.
- A total of 390 definitions/explanatory notes – 211(54% NEW) and 71 (18% CHANGED)
- The basis for other Male-specific documents including: (1) Anorectal Dysfunction; (2) Surgical management of male LUT dysfunction; (3) Conservative management of male LUT dysfunction; (4) Sexual health in men with LUT/PF dysfunction.
Published in 2018
The Joint IUGA / ICS Report on the Terminology for Sexual Health in Women with Pelvic Floor Dysfunction.
For publication in 2019
- Male document featured above
- Nocturia and Nocturnal Lower Urinary Tract Function
- Terminology for Single-Use Bodyworn Incontinence Products
- Pelvic Floor Muscle Function and Dysfunction
- Male Ano-rectal dysfunction
Other ongoing projects
Seven documents currently in various draft stages.
The ICS Glossary will offer instant online access to ICS terminology published over the last 18 years. The Male-terminology document, referred to above and below, will be the first and most recent reference with other documents referenced in reverse chronological order (most recent to earliest).
Features of the Glossary are as follows:
- Over 1100 terms with ongoing expansion and updating, all in a very readable format.
- Each term has definition /descriptor, instantly available, with categorisation into one of 11 categories (symptom, sign, investigation, imaging etc).
- Most recent reference is featured with earlier references if relevant noted. There are 19 ICS (or ICS/IUGA) Terminology documents referenced.
- References can be instantly copied for use in other academic purposes with the full PDF documents of the original articles available for instant access.
- Mobile friendly and easy to use website.
- The Glossary will be linked to the new Terminology Discussion Forum (previously ICS wiki) where there can be debated/ discussed with international peers.
- Shorter feedback to the ICS Office as to whether a term, say, needs inclusion/ improvement can be instantly made.
The ICS is uniquely placed to produce the Glossary, having updated all male and female lower urinary tract and pelvic floor terminology over the last 12 years. ICS is now able to offer this comprehensive terminology service in an exciting electronic presentation. It takes access to terminology to a totally different and unprecedented level. Our aim is to have it, as soon as practicable, as an application on your smartphone.
Article by Bernard Haylen, Gynaecologist, ICS Standardisation Steering Committee Chair