title: Effect of tamsulosin on the number and intensity of ureteral colic in patients with lower ureteral calculus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed to objectively determine whether tamsulosin as an alpha(1)-blocker was effective in patients who had ureterolithiasis located in the lower part of the ureter.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty patients with lower ureteral calculi (juxtavesical or intramural portion) were included in the present study. Conservative treatment, such as hydration and tenoxicam as a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, was given to group 1 (30 patients). Group 2 (30 patients) was given tamsulosin (0.4 mg daily) in addition to the conservative treatment. All patients were followed up and questioned about the numbers and intensity of ureteral colic, and the rates of spontaneous passage after the procedure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Spontaneous passage was observed in 22 of the 30 patients in group 1 (73.3%) and 26 of the 30 patients in group 2 (86.6%). The difference within groups 1 and 2 was not significant (P=0.196). The difference between both groups was not statistically significant either, with the stone diameter being 6 mm (P=0.635) or >6 mm (P=0.407). As group 1 patients were passing their stones, they had more ureteral colic episodes than group 2 patients. This difference was statistically significant and correlated well with the administration of tamsulosin (P=0.038). Group 1 patients reported higher scores according to a visual analog scale than group 2 patients. Also, this difference was statistically significant (P=0.000).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We think that the treatment of alpha(1)-blockers decreased the number of ureteral colic episodes and the intensity of pain during spontaneous passage at the lower ureteral calculi. Also, it will be beneficial to patients' quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, KSU Medical School, Kahramanmaras, Turkey. safarasim@ksu.edu.tr
authors.forename: Sefa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Resim
authors.forename: Hasan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ekerbicer
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ciftci
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D003085:Colic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077409:Tamsulosin; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000077409:Tamsulosin