Effects of tamsulosin on lower urinary tract symptoms due to double-J stent: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of tamsulosin in improving symptoms in, and quality of life of, patients with indwelling double-J ureteral stents.


METHODS
This prospective study lasted from January 2005 to February 2007. All the patients with symptomatic lower ureteral stones with <15 mm diameter were enrolled in this prospective study, and were prospectively randomized (programs Plus 1.0 and Plus 2.10; S-Plus, Taiwan) into two groups. There was a total of 146 patients with insertion of a double-J ureteral stent after ureteroscopic stone removal. In group 1, 71 patients were enrolled and they received placebo for 2 weeks. Group 2 included 75 patients who received 0.4 mg of tamsulosin, once daily for 2 weeks. All patients completed a 10-cm linear visual analogue scale (VAS) for evaluating pain and voiding flank pain, and irritative domain of the International Prostate Symptom Scale (IPSS) before double-J stent removal 2 weeks later.


RESULTS
The mean VAS for pain was 4.01 in group 1, 1.52 in group 2, and for voiding flank pain it was 3.3 in group 1 and 1.93 in group 2. The mean score of frequency in IPSS was 3.7 in group 1 and 1.55 in group 2. The mean score of urgency in IPSS was 3.82 in group 1 and 1.43 in group 2. The mean score of nocturia in IPSS was 2.01 in group 1 and 0.65 in group 2. The mean score of quality of life in IPSS was 4.21 in group 1 and 1.6 in group 2. All p values are <0.0001 with statistical significances.


CONCLUSIONS
Tamsulosin improved a subset of stent-related urinary symptoms, pain, voiding flank pain and quality of life.
Wang
Chung-Jing
CJ
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Saint Martin De Porres Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan, ROC.
Huang
Shi-Wei
SW
Chang
Chien-Hsing
CH
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D021501:Flank Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077409:Tamsulosin; D014513:Ureter; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000601:surgery; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology
D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000077409:Tamsulosin