Impact of double J ureteral stents on general health, work performance and sexual matters

Introduction & Objectives: Double J ureteral stents can cause major discomfort and have a negative impact on different aspects of life. A specific validated questionnaire has been developed to assess stent-related symptoms. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of ureteral stents on general health, work performance and sexual matters. Material & Methods: Since January 2010 to March 2012 we asked all consecutive patients who underwent a semirigid or flexible uncomplicated ureteroscopy with double J positioning to partecipate in a prospective single-institutional observational study. Patients were asked to fill the validated Italian version of the Ureteral Stent Symptoms Questionnaire, that consists of 6 different sections exploring urinary symptoms, body pain, general health, work performance, sexual matters, additional problems and general satisfaction. We focus in this paper on the effects of stents on general health, work performance and sexual matters. Results: 128 out of 155 completed and returned the questionnaire. Following insertion of the stent 39% of patients had difficulty in performing light physical activities (e.g. walking short distances, driving a car) and 11% usually did not do because of the stent. Regarding heavy physical activities (e.g. strenuous sports, lifting heavy objects) 37% of patients had difficulty and 27% did not do because of the stent. 30% of patients felt tired and worn out most or all of the time, 51% occasionally or sometimes. 34% of patients enjoyed their social life only occasionally or sometimes, 11% never did. 45% needed extra help from family members or friends. Because of the symptoms associated with the stent patients were kept in bed all or most of the day for 4 days and cut down their routine activities for 7 days. 45% of patients worked for short periods of time or took frequent rests because of the symptoms associated of the stent and 35% worked at usual job but with some changes. 39% did not work the regular number of hours. 59% of patients with double J stent did not have an active sexual life. 45% of patients who used to have an active sexual life stopped it after insertion of the stent, 28% because of the problems associated with the stent. Following insertion of the stent 39% of patients had pain during sexual intercourse and 75% were satisfied with their sex life. 65% of patients would be unsatisfied (56% unhappy or terrible) if another ureteral stent would be proposed in future. Conclusions: Ureteral stents after an uncomplicated ureteroscopy have a deep impact not only on urinary symptoms and body pain but also on general health, working, social and sexual activity. Urologist should limit both the use and the indwelling time of ureteral stents after uncomplicated ureteroscopies.