title: A randomized controlled trial comparing alpha blocker (tamsulosin) and anticholinergic (solifenacin) in treatment of ureteral stent-related symptoms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effectiveness of tamsulosin and solifenacin in relieving ureteral stents related symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized controlled trial was conducted between January 2013 and July 2014. Inclusion criteria were patients aged 20-50 years who underwent temporary unilateral ureteral stent for drainage of calcular upper tract obstruction or after ureteroscopic lithotripsy. Patients with history of lower urinary tract symptoms before stent placement, stents that were fixed after open or laparoscopic procedures, and those who developed complications related to the primary procedure were not included. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups using computer-generated random tables. Patients in group 1 received placebo, patients in group 2 received tamsulosin 0.4 mg once daily, and those in group 3 received solifenacin 5 mg once daily. Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ) was answered by all patients 1-2 weeks after stent placement. The primary outcome was the comparison of total score of USSQ between all groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study included 131 patients. All baseline characteristics (age, sex, side, indication, length, and duration of stent) were comparable for all groups. Total USSQ score was 61 in solifenacin group, 76 in tamsulosin group, and 83 in control group (P < 0.001). The total USSQ scores and all domains, except sexual index, were significantly better in solifenacin than in tamsulosin group (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of tamsulosin alone or solifenacin alone in patients with ureteral stents can improve the quality of life by decreasing ureteral stent-related symptoms. Solifenacin was better than tamsulosin. CLINICALTRIAL.
  NCT01880619.
authors.affiliation: Urology Department, Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt. ar_el_nahas@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Ahmed R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: El-Nahas
authors.affiliation: Urology Department, Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tharwat
authors.affiliation: Urology Department, Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elsaadany
authors.affiliation: Urology Department, Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mosbah
authors.affiliation: Urology Department, Urology and Nephrology Center, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohamed A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gaballah
mesh_terms: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*; D000069464:Solifenacin Succinate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015607:Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077409:Tamsulosin; D014515:Ureteral Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; D018680:Cholinergic Antagonists; D013449:Sulfonamides; D000077409:Tamsulosin; D000069464:Solifenacin Succinate
keywords: Alpha blockers; Anticholinergic; Quality of life; Symptoms; Ureteral stent