Is there a role for α-blockers in ureteral stent related symptoms? A systematic review and meta-analysis

We evaluated the efficacy of α-blockers to improve ureteral stent related morbidity and quality of life.

We performed a search of MEDLINE®, Embase™ and The Cochrane Library plus a hand search of conference proceedings from January 2000 to October 2010 to identify randomized, controlled trials comparing treatment for ureteral stent symptoms with α-blockers. Two reviewers independently screened studies and extracted data. Trial methodological quality was assessed by The Cochrane Collaboration quality assessment tool. Placebo randomized, controlled trials with the ureteral stent symptom questionnaire as the outcome were eligible for meta-analysis. Meta-analysis was done using the mean difference to determine the aggregate effect size.

A total of 12 randomized, controlled trials including 2 α-blockers in a total of 946 patients were eligible, including 4 (33%) presented only as an abstract at a urological meeting and 4 (33%) eligible for meta-analysis. Meta-analysis using a random effects model showed that α-blockers were associated with a significant decrease in urinary symptoms (MD -6.76, 95% CI -11.52 to -2.00, p=0.005), a significant decrease in pain (MD -3.55, 95% CI -5.51 to -1.60, p=0.0004) and significant improvement in general health (MD -1.90, 95% CI -3.05 to -0.75, p=0.001). However, they were not associated with a benefit in work (MD 2.41, 95% CI -1.62 to 6.44, p=0.24) or sexual matters (MD 0.20, 95% CI -1.06 to 1.45, p=0.33). Eight studies were not included in the meta-analysis, of which 7 showed a significant clinical decrease in urinary symptoms and pain.

Existing evidence from randomized, controlled trials shows that α-blockers are associated with improvement in ureteral stent symptoms and supports their use in routine clinical practice.