Efficacy of Tamsulosin, Oxybutynin, and their combination in the control of double-j stent-related lower urinary tract symptoms

ABSTRACT Introduction and objective Indwelling double J ureteral stents are used routinely in the resolution of ureteral obstruction caused by different etiologies. Evaluation of urinary symptoms related to double-J stent, indicate that these affect 73-90% of patients. We conducted a prospective, randomized study, to evaluate the efficacy of tamsulosin, oxybutinin and combination therapy in improving the urinary symptoms. Methods Patients who underwent ureteral stent placement after ureterolithotripsy (total 51), were randomized into three groups: Group I: Tamsulosin 0.4 mg. once per day(17 patients), Group II: Oxybutinin 5 mg. once per day (17 patients), Group III: Tamsulosin+ oxybutynin once per day (17 patients). All the groups received the drugs for three weeks and completed a Spanish validated Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ) at day 7 and 21. Results Repeated measures ANOVA showed mean urinary symptom index score was 22.3 vs. 15.5 in group three (p<0.001) at day 7 and 21 respectively. The mean work performance index was 6.6 vs 8.1 (p=0.049) favoring tamsulosin group, the mean sexual score was 0.5 vs 1.5 (p=0.03). Among additional problems the mean was 7.2 vs 6.2 (p=0.03). No significant difference was noted among pain and general health index. No side effects were reported. Conclusions Combination therapy with tamsulosin and oxybutynin improved irritative symptoms and work performance as well as sexual matters. Combination therapy should be considered for patients who complained of stent related symptoms.

Evaluación clínica del paciente con síntomas del tracto urinario inferior / Clinical evaluation of the patient with lower urinary tract symptoms

Lower urinary tract symptoms are divided into three groups, storage, voiding and post micturition symptoms. Their level of agreement with urodynamic investigation is poor. Clinicalhistory should be complemented by the application of validated symptom questionnaires and the recording of urinary events. Here we refer to: a) the International Consultation onIncontinence Questionnaire, Short Form (ICIQ-SF), b) the Urogenital Distress Inventory - Short Form (UDI-6) and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire – Short Form (IIQ-7), c) the urinary incontinence Severity Index and d) the American Urological Association Symptom Index. The recordings of urinary events can be done in three main forms: a) micturition time chart, b)frequency volume chart, and c) bladder diary. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire bladder diary (ICIQ bladder diary) is the only one validated. Physical exam should include abdominal and genital examination, covering pelvic organ prolapse quantification in women, prostate evaluation in men, pelvic floor muscle function evaluation in both genders, and a neurologic examination focused on evaluation of the sacral nerves. It is useful to supplementthe physical examination with the evaluation of the mobility of the bladder neck and proximal urethra through the Q-tip test, and with the quantification of urine leakage through the pad test.

Bladder response to acute sacral neuromodulation while treating rats in different phases of complete spinal cord injury: a preliminary study

Background: Compared to conventional therapies, sacral neuromodulation (SNM) may offer an alternative, non-destructive treatment for SCI patients with bladder dysfunction. Understanding bladder response to SNM treatment for SCI in different phases may yield new insights for innovative use of this promising technique. Materials and Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study to examine the effects of acute SNM on bladder reflex in complete SCI rats. All rats were anesthetized and set up for continuous saline infusion. Acute SNM treatment was implemented for about 6 hours for each rat. Cystometric parameters, including time between contractions, contraction duration, bladder peak pressure, and number of uninhibited contractions, were analyzed and compared within rats before and after SNM treatment. Results: For the spinally transected rats during early phase (less than two weeks post spinalization), the time between contractions and contraction duration both increased after SNM treatments, yet the increased amplitude was about or less than 20%. For the spinally transected rats with a longer days survival (about two to four weeks post spinalization), the time between contractions and contraction duration substantially increased after SNM treatment and the changes for their average values were more than 90%. For the spinally transected rats with a much longer days survival (more than five weeks post spinalization), the time between contractions and contraction duration increased after SNM treatments, yet the magnitude of changes were less than 30%. Conclusion: The present study suggested that the significant effectiveness of SNM for complete SCI played its role after the spinal shock phase and prior to the development of detrusor overactivity. It indicated that the time point of SNM treatment is necessary to be paid attention.