title: A prospective randomized single-blind comparison of ureteral stents composed of firm and soft polymer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Ureteral stents are composed of different polymers and it is unclear if stent composition influences patient comfort. We compared the impact of stents composed of firm and soft polymer on patient health related quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 130 patients requiring insertion of ureteral stents during the treatment of urinary calculi were randomized to receive a stent composed of firm (Percuflex, group 1) or soft (Contour, group 2) polymer. Patients were asked to complete the Ureteric Stent Symptoms Questionnaire, a validated instrument, at weeks 1 and 4 with the stent in situ and 4 weeks after its removal, this served as the main outcome measure. Additional assessments included difficulty in stent insertion and the need for early stent removal.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 78 men and 38 women in total (61 in group 1 and 55 in group 2) with a mean age of 51 years (range 22 to 79) and no difference in age between the 2 groups (p = 0.9). Comparison of the results of the Ureteric Stent Symptoms Questionnaire survey at weeks 1 and 4 with stent in situ revealed no significant differences in the domain scores of urinary symptoms (p = 0.9 and p = 0.8), pain (p = 0.8 and p = 0.6) and general health (p = 0.6 and p = 0.4). Similarly, there were no differences in the number of days with reduced activities, work performance (p = 0.7) and sexual dysfunction between the 2 groups. A similar number of patients (8 and 7 in groups 1 and 2, respectively) required stent removal earlier than planned due to stent related symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This randomized study showed no difference in the impact on patient quality of life between ureteral stents composed of firm or soft polymer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, NHS Trust, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UY, UK.
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Joshi
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Chitale
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nagarajan
authors.forename: S O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Irving
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Browning
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Biyani
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Burgess
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011108:Polymers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D011108:Polymers; C048365:percuflex TM