Prospective randomized study on the efficacy of tamsulosin, solifenacin, and their combination in relieving lower urinary tract symptoms in ureteric stent patients: insights from the brief-form Chinese USSQ.

Purpose: Assess the efficacy of selective alpha-1 blocker (tamsulosin) and antimuscarinic (solifenacin) as well as their combination in alleviating lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with ureteric stents using the brief-form Chinese version of the USSQ.

Methods: A prospective randomized control study was conducted from May 2023 to October 2024 in the Urology department at Aswan University Hospital involving 160 consecutive patients undergoing DJ insertion after uncomplicated ureteroscopy. All patients are randomized into 4 groups receiving different treatments. Groups A, B, C, and D received a placebo, tamsulosin 0.4 mg, solifenacin 5 mg, and combinations respectively. IPSS and USSQ (brief-version) were collected and analyzed on the 1st day, 1st week, and 3rd week postoperative.

Results: In all, 158 patients completed the study, 39 patients for Group A and Group B, while 40 patients for Group C and Group D. Baseline characteristics were comparable among all groups. Group (D) showed a significant decrease in mean ± (SD) IPSS 9.5 (± 1.4), and 7.7 (± 1.3) on 1st week and 3rd week postoperative respectively. Regarding USSQ, group (D) showed significantly lower scores compared to groups (A), (B), and (C) on the 1st day, 1st week, and 3rd week postoperatively (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001; respectively).

Conclusion: The brief-form USSQ is a useful, reliable substitute for evaluating stent-related symptoms. Our findings support the notion that tamsulosin/solifenacin combinations have considerably reduced LUTS linked to the placement of ureteral stents.