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. PATIENTS AND 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.