Medical Expulsive Therapy Following Shock Wave Lithotripsy in Ureteral Calculi: An Effective Approach for the Improvement of Health-Related Quality of Life

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the possible effects of medical expulsive therapy (MET) on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients undergoing shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) for ureteric stones. Methods: Eighty patients treated with SWL for ureteric stones were included in this study. Patients were divided into 2 groups; Group 1 received medical therapy only for colic pain and Group 2 received MET in addition to medical therapy. Patients requiring DJ stenting and auxiliary measures after SWL procedure were excluded. The remaining 54 patients were further evaluated (Group 1: n = 26, Group 2: n = 28) and followed up during the 4-week period for analgesic requirement, number of renal colic attacks, emergency department (ED) visits and the HRQOL scores by using EQ-5D index and EQ-5D visual analogue scale (VAS) values. Results: During the 4-week follow-up period, cases undergoing SWL only required significantly higher amount of analgesics. In addition to the lower number of renal colic attacks and ED visits, EQ-5D index and EQ-5D VAS values also demonstrated higher mean values in patients undergoing SWL + MET. Conclusion: In addition to the increased spontaneous stone passage rates, MET following SWL for ureteral calculi could increase the HRQOL scores by lowering the number of both renal colic attacks and ED visits along with decreased analgesic need.