Treatment expectations and health-related quality of life in stone formers

The objective of this article is to address patients' expectations of stone treatment - both surgical and medical - and their health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We present a rationale for greater inclusion of measures to assess patient expectations, satisfaction, and HRQOL into surgical and medical management for patients with recurrent urolithiasis.

Patients' treatment expectations and HRQOL are fundamental and progressive new areas of interest in urolithiasis. Patients whose treatment regimens result in outcomes that match their expectations are likely to be more satisfied, which may influence their HRQOL, a valid and valuable outcome of any medical treatment or procedure. Patient perceptions of treatment effects for stones, whether surgical or medical, are complex and may not reflect only stone-free rates, surgical complication rates, and side-effects, the outcomes of traditional interest in urology.

If we understand the issues of most importance to our patients, we can provide appropriate information and education that ensures the most realistic expectations, minimizes disappointment and risk, and contributes most to the patients' HRQOL.