Role of alpha blockers in management of LUTS associating DJ application

Abstract

Ureteral stent placement is now considered a routine and indispensable urologic tool (Chew et al., 2004). However, the side effects and patient morbidity associated with ureteral stents have been identified as a potential health problem (Dyer et al., 2002). It was hypothesized that a selective α1-blocker, such as tamsulosin, might influence the stent-related symptoms, because the latter mimic the LUTS due to BPH. We evaluated the effect of tamsulosin in improving urinary symptoms in patients with indwelling DJ ureteral stents. Our study was carried out in urology department, Dar El-Shefa hospital. Sixty patients were enrolled in our study. The age of our patients ranged between 20 and 45 years. All patients received antibiotic for 5 days after DJ insertion. They were divided into two groups each one comprising 30 patients. Group A: was given Tamsulosin 0.4 mg capsule once daily for two weeks. Group B: was given placebo once daily for the same period of time. Then they came for the first visit (after 2 weeks of DJ insertion) for evaluation. Then they came for the second visit (after 4 weeks of DJ insertion) for evaluation again. Evaluation of patients was done at the first visit and the second visit by asking about the following: incomplete bladder emptying, weak stream, intermittency, straining, frequency, urgency and nocturia. Comparing the two visits of each group, it was evident that incidence of incomplete bladder emptying, weak stream, intermittency, straining , frequency, urgency and nocturia were significantly lower with tamsulosin prescription.