A Study to Compare the Safety and Efficacy of Solifenacin, Tamsulosin and Tadalafil in Relieving Double-J Stent Related Symptoms

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate and compare the safety and efficacy of Solifenacin, Tamsulosin, and Tadalafil in treating ureteral stent related symptoms (SRS) in patients with indwelling Double-J ureteral stents. Materials and Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted on 146 consecutive patients in the department of urology, Government Stanley Medical College & Hospital, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India between Sept 2017-March 2019, with SRS after taking informed consent and confirming DJ Stent position by X-ray KUB post-operatively. Patients were randomized into 4 groups: Group A (Placebo), Group B (Solifenacin 5 mg), and Group B (Tamsulosin 0.4 mg) and group D (Tadalafil 5 mg) at end of 1st week till the removal of DJ stent at end of 3 weeks. All patients were assessed for bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) using the validated Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ) at 1st week and 3 weeks after the starting of medications. Appropriate statistical analysis as carried out and the level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: LUTS, general health, and work performance improved with Solifenacin, Tamsulosin and Tadalafil and all the three were comparable in relieving urinary symptoms. Tadalafil was better at relieving body pain, additional problems and sexual problems better than Tamsulosin. Tadalafil showed comparable improvement in LUTS, better sexual health and decreased body pain compared to solifenacin, whereas the latter had better general health, additional problems & work performance scores. Conclusion: Solifenacin is more effective than Tamsulosin in alleviating LUTS associated with SRS and both show a distinctive advantage over placebo. PDE inhibitor Tadalafil can also be tried for SRS and is as effective as antimuscarinics and α -blockers in relieving urinary symptoms and is more efficacious in relieving sexual symptoms and body pain.