The effects of pregabalin, solifenacin and their combination therapy on ureteral double-J stent-related symptoms: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Many medical therapies have been tested to deal with urinary stentrelated symptoms (USRS). Several preventive and pharmaceutical methods have been already used for better compatibility of stents. However, the existing evidence for pharmacological treatment is still controversial. This study aims to evaluate the effects of pregabalin, solifenacin, and combination therapy on ureteral double-J stent-related symptoms following ureteroscopy and transureteral lithotripsy (TUL). Materials and methods: In a randomized controlled clinical trial, from November 2017 to March 2019, 256 patients who underwent ureteroscopy were enrolled. Patients were randomly divided into four groups including: group A received pregabalin 75mg BID (twice daily), group B received solifenacin 5mg orally once daily, group C received combination of pregabalin and solifenacin and the group D (control) given no drugs. Results: One hundred and fifty-one (58.9%) males and 101 (41.1%) females were enrolled in this study with a mean age of 43.47±7 (p=0.32, p=0.67). USSQ domains score such as urinary symptoms, pain, general condition, work performance, sexual matters and additional problems were significantly differenced during second and fourth week of follow-up among study groups (p <0.0001). In Tukey's multiple comparison test, urinary symptoms (p=0.735), pain (p=0.954) and sexual matters (p=0.080) in second week and work performance in forth week in group B was not significantly better than group D. Only group C in all indexes of USSQ showed significantly beneficial effects over group D (p <0.0001). Conclusion: Combination therapy of pregabalin and solifenacin has a significant effect on stent-related symptoms and is preferred over monotherapy of the respected medications.

Editorial Comment: The effects of pregabalin, solifenacin and their combination therapy on ureteral double-J stent-related symptoms: A randomized controlled clinical trial

“…Falahatkar et al studied the effects of pregabalin, solifenacin and their combination therapy on urinary stent-related symptoms in a randomized controlled clinical trial (17). Patients were randomly allocated into four groups: pregabalin 75 mg BID (N=64), solifenacin 5 mg once a day (N=64), pregabalin 75 mg BID and solifenacin 5 mg once a day (N=64), and no medication (N=64).…”

Degradation behavior of polylactic‐co‐glycolic acid and polycaprolactone with nanosilver scaffolds

“…The implantation of ureteral scaffolds is a common clinical solution. [1][2][3][4][5][6] However, the use of ureteral scaffolds is often accompanied by some complications, such as scaffold displacement, biofilm, crusting, and vesicoureteral reflux. [7][8][9] These complications greatly affect the treatment effect and postoperative quality of life of patients.…”

“…Among them, the ureteral disease is particularly serious, which is a common and frequently occurring disease of the urinary system, accounting for 80% of patients in urology. The implantation of ureteral scaffolds is a common clinical solution 1–6 . However, the use of ureteral scaffolds is often accompanied by some complications, such as scaffold displacement, biofilm, crusting, and vesicoureteral reflux 7–9 .…”

Preparing and characterizing biodegradable materials for ureteral stents

“…Ureteral stenosis and obstruction are common urinary diseases that seriously reduce patient quality of life. Ureteral stents are minimally invasive surgical instruments that are commonly used in clinics 1,2 ; they can prevent ureteral obstruction and drain urine after being implanted into the urinary system of the patient. Three kinds of material are used to prepare ureteral stents: metal materials, 3–5 non‐degradable polymer materials, 6–8 and biodegradable polymer materials 9–11 .…”