Effectiveness of medical treatment in overcoming the ureteral double-J stent related symptoms

BACKGROUNDWe investigated whether the frequency of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) increased in patients in whom double-J stents were applied. We also evaluated several medical therapy protocols to treat symptoms related with ureteral stents. MATERIALS AND METHODSA total of 108 patients, in whom unilateral double-j stent was applied during ureteral stone treatment, were included. Before the double-J stent was applied, all patients completed storage components of the "International Prostate Symptom Score" (IPSSs), quality of life components of the IPSS (IPSS-QOL) and "Overactive Bladder Questionnaire" (OABq) forms and scores were calculated. After the procedure, cases were randomized into 5 groups, an antiinflammatory was given to Group 1, spasmolytic to Group 2, anticholinergic to Group 3 and α-blocker to Group 4. No additional drug was given to Group 5 as this control group. During the fourth week of the procedure, IPSSs, IPSS-QOL and OABq forms were again completed and scores were compared with the previous ones. RESULTSWhen all the cases were evaluated, the IPSSs, IPSS-QOL and OABq scores of patients in whom the double-J stent was applied were statistically significantly higher the procedure. Compared to the control group, the cases where the double-J stent was applied showed a higher IPSSs, IPSS-QOL and OABq scores and none of the medical therapies could prevent this increase. INTERPRETATIONThe frequency of LUTS increased in cases where the ureteral stent was applied and discomfort continued as long as the stent stayed in the body.