Effects of Tamsulosin and Tolterodine on double J stent–related symptoms: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND Ureteral double J stent are routinely applied for urologic patients although stent-related symptoms are common. Several attempts have been reported to minimize these symptoms. OBJECTIVE To compare Tolterodine, Tamsulosin, and placebo effects on double J stent-related symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHOD In all, 125 patients (82 males and 43 females) with double J stent were randomly divided into three groups (group 1, n: 42, group2, n: 40 and group 3, n: 43). Each patient randomly received one pack of drug in different colors by a nurse unaware of the content to take Tamsulosin 0.4 mg before sleep (MODALUSINE), Tolterodine 2 mg twice a day or placebo once daily (capsules filled with starch): group 1 received placebo, group 2 Tamsulosin and group 3 Tolterodine for 1 month in a double-blind manner. Ureteral stent-related morbidity indices which analyzed include urinary symptom, pain, general health, quality of work and sex scores. All of indices measured by Ureteral Symptom Score Questionnaire for first and fourth weeks after drug consumption and the first week after double J stent removal (labeled as w1, w4, and w5, respectively). RESULT The mean age was 44.8 years (range: 15-83 years). There was no statistically significant difference in background characteristics between groups (p value > 0.05). The most important and statistically significant results were Tolterodine-reduced urinary symptom score (p value = 0.001) and improved general health score (p value = 0.007) of the fourth week. The pain score in groups of Tamsulosin and Tolterodine significantly reduced between weeks 4 and 1 and 5 and 1 (both with the p value < 0.05), but in other indices, there was no significant difference between them. CONCLUSION According to our results, we suggest Tolterodine to minimize stent-related urinary symptom and improve general health in patients with double J stent.