Background

This study aimed to evaluate the symptoms and discomforts associated with double J ureteral stents in Palestinian urological practice. Another aim was to evaluate the correlations between patient-reported symptoms and discomforts related to ureteral double J stents, as well as their influence on patient-reported quality of life.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study at two major hospitals in the West Bank, Palestine. The patients were interviewed at 1 and 3 weeks post-insertion and post-removal of double J ureteral stents using a structured questionnaire. In addition to the sociodemographic and health variables of the patients, the questionnaire also screened for symptoms and discomforts associated with ureteral double J stents and their impact on patient-reported quality of life.

Results

The final analysis included 200 patients who received double J ureteral stents in the Palestinian practice. Of the patients, 172 (86.0%) reported experiencing urinary symptoms, 145 (72.5%) experienced dysuria, 127 (63.5%) experienced frequency, 130 (65.0%) experienced urgency, 111 (55.5%) experienced hematuria, 81 (40.5%) experienced urinary retention, and 57 (28.5%) experienced incontinence. On the other hand, 84 (42.0%) patients reported experiencing low back pain, and 91 (45.5%) patients reported experiencing abdominal pain. Half of the patients (50%) reported using analgesics and 25 (12.5%) reported experiencing fever and seeking medical help. Of the patients, 69 (34.5%) reported experiencing limitations in doing usual daily activities and 68 (34.0%) reported experiencing limitations in the ability to walk. Of the 120 patients who had active sex life, 84 (70.0%) reported pain during sex. Older patients, females, who had higher body mass index, and those who had other comorbidities experienced higher symptoms and discomforts of double J ureteral stents compared to the other patients.

Conclusion

The findings of this study showed that symptoms and discomforts of double J ureteral stents were prevalent in the Palestinian urology practice. The findings reported in this study are informative to urologists and other healthcare providers caring for patients with double J ureteral stents who might be interested in addressing these symptoms and discomforts and improving the quality of life of the affected patients.

العنوان

BMC Urology

الناشر

BMC

بلد الناشر

المملكة المتحدة

Indexing

Thomson Reuters

معامل التأثير

1,9

نوع المنشور

Both (Printed and Online)

المجلد

68

السنة

2025

الصفحات

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