1. Effect of Tamsulosin in Preventing Ureteral Stent-Related Morbidity: A Prospective Study
- Author
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Massimo D’Armiento, Rocco Damiano, Alessandro Giacobbe, Italo M. Palumbo, Riccardo Autorino, Marco De Sio, Damiano, R, Autorino, Riccardo, DE SIO, Marco, Giacobbe, A, Palumbo, Im, and D'Armiento, M.
- Subjects
Tamsulosin ,Adult ,Male ,Nephrology ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Visual analogue scale ,Urology ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Sulfonamide ,law.invention ,Ureter ,Quality of life ,Randomized controlled trial ,law ,Urination Disorder ,Internal medicine ,Stent ,Ureteroscopy ,medicine ,Humans ,Adrenergic alpha-Antagonist ,Prospective Studies ,Prospective cohort study ,Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists ,Aged ,Sulfonamides ,business.industry ,Middle Aged ,Urination Disorders ,Surgery ,Prospective Studie ,medicine.anatomical_structure ,Quality of Life ,Stents ,Female ,business ,Human ,medicine.drug - Abstract
Purpose: We conducted a randomized study to evaluate the effect of tamsulosin in improving symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in patients with indwelling double-pigtail ureteral stents, using both generic and specific questionnaires. Materials and Methods: We prospectively enrolled 75 patients (29 men, 46 women; mean age, 42.3 years), who underwent ureteral stent positioning and were assigned to one of two study groups. In group A (n = 38), patients were discharged with a prescription for tamsulosin, 0.4 mg once daily. In group B (n = 37), patients received no α1-blocker (control group). Results: One week after stent placement (visit week 1 [W1]), analysis of the ureteral stent symptoms questionnaire showed a significant worsening of urinary symptoms (13.1 v 26.4, P = 0.008) and pain (4.1 v 21.6, P = 0.002) in patients not receiving tamsulosin. There was also a significant difference in the mean visual analog score (VAS) of health scale between the two groups (P < 0.001) compared with the result obtained at the W4 evaluation (visit). The proportion of patients reporting level 2 or 3 for the pain/discomfort domain in the QoL questionnaire from W4 to W1 varied between the two groups in a highly statistically significant manner (P = 0.006). Conclusions: Our findings indicate that administration of tamsulosin has a positive effect on stent-related urinary symptoms and QoL. Further clinical research in this area is warranted to better define the role of α1-blockers in current clinical practice. © 2008 Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
- Published
- 2008
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