Introduction & Objectives: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the compliance of patients to the use of double J ureteral stents after an uncomplicated ureteroscopy. Materials & Methods: We organized a prospective study to evaluate how patients tolerate symptoms related to the presence of a ureteral stent. Since January 2010 we asked all the patients who underwent a semirigid or flexible ureteroscopy with double J positioning to fill the validated Italian version of the Ureteral Stent Symptoms Questionnaire. The influences on different aspects of everyday life (pain, urinary symptoms, working, physical and social activity, sexual activity, general health) were considered. Results: Preliminary results of 37 filled in questionnaires are available at the moment. The stent was cause of pain or discomfort in 76% of patients. Mean intensity of pain was 5.8 on a Visual Analogue Scale (0-10). 59% of patients needed pain treatment and 93% complained of an interference with everyday life. A urinary frequency of every hour or more was present in 59%. 92% had one or more micturition during the night, 38% complained of burning at voiding and 32% of urge incontinence. 81% had macroscopic haematuria and 89% said urinary symptoms really represented a problem. 74% found it difficult to practice intense physical activity and 43% also light physical activity. Working and sexual activity was also negatively influenced by the presence of the stent: 33% stopped their sexual activity after stent placement and 31% had pain during sexual intercourses. 42% of patient needed family help, 27% called for medical assistance and 17% came back to the hospital. 64% would be unsatisfied (25% very unhappy) if another ureteral stent would be proposed in future. Conclusions: Although these are preliminary results about a limited number of patients, ureteral stents seem to have a very negative influence on different aspects of daily life: not only for pain and urinary symptoms but also for general health condition, working, social and sexual activity. A patient should be carefully informed about the reasons why a ureteral stent is used and all possible problems related to the stent should be discussed before the procedure. A ureteral stent should be used only if really needed and should be removed as soon as possible
Are double J ureteral stent well toleratedafter ureteroscopy? Preliminary results of aprospective study on an Italian population
DESTEFANIS, Paolo Giuseppe;CERUTI, Carlo;FONTANA, Dario
2011-01-01
Abstract
Introduction & Objectives: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the compliance of patients to the use of double J ureteral stents after an uncomplicated ureteroscopy. Materials & Methods: We organized a prospective study to evaluate how patients tolerate symptoms related to the presence of a ureteral stent. Since January 2010 we asked all the patients who underwent a semirigid or flexible ureteroscopy with double J positioning to fill the validated Italian version of the Ureteral Stent Symptoms Questionnaire. The influences on different aspects of everyday life (pain, urinary symptoms, working, physical and social activity, sexual activity, general health) were considered. Results: Preliminary results of 37 filled in questionnaires are available at the moment. The stent was cause of pain or discomfort in 76% of patients. Mean intensity of pain was 5.8 on a Visual Analogue Scale (0-10). 59% of patients needed pain treatment and 93% complained of an interference with everyday life. A urinary frequency of every hour or more was present in 59%. 92% had one or more micturition during the night, 38% complained of burning at voiding and 32% of urge incontinence. 81% had macroscopic haematuria and 89% said urinary symptoms really represented a problem. 74% found it difficult to practice intense physical activity and 43% also light physical activity. Working and sexual activity was also negatively influenced by the presence of the stent: 33% stopped their sexual activity after stent placement and 31% had pain during sexual intercourses. 42% of patient needed family help, 27% called for medical assistance and 17% came back to the hospital. 64% would be unsatisfied (25% very unhappy) if another ureteral stent would be proposed in future. Conclusions: Although these are preliminary results about a limited number of patients, ureteral stents seem to have a very negative influence on different aspects of daily life: not only for pain and urinary symptoms but also for general health condition, working, social and sexual activity. A patient should be carefully informed about the reasons why a ureteral stent is used and all possible problems related to the stent should be discussed before the procedure. A ureteral stent should be used only if really needed and should be removed as soon as possibleI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.