Alpha-blocker or nifedipine may help pass kidney stones
Clinical Question
Clinical Question
Clinical Question
Can drug treatment improve passage of ureteral stones?
Bottom Line
Bottom Line
Bottom Line
This meta-analysis of low-quality studies shows that ureteral stone passage can be enhanced by treating patients with an alpha-blocker such as tamsulosin (Flomax) or the calcium channel blocker nifedipine (Procardia). Better studies may refute these findings, but for now either approach is an option.
(LOE = 1a-)Reference
Reference
Reference
Singh A, Alter HJ, Littlepage A. A systematic review of medical therapy to facilitate passage of ureteral calculi. Ann Emerg Med 2007;50(5):552-563.
[PMID:17681643]Study Design
Study Design
Study Design
Meta-analysis (randomized controlled trials)
Funding
Funding
Funding
Self-funded or unfunded
Setting
Setting
Setting
Various (meta-analysis)
Synopsis
Synopsis
Synopsis
The researchers conducting this study combined the results of small studies evaluating the effectiveness of alpha-blockers, a calcium channel blocker, or both, to increase the passage of ureteral calculi. The meta-analysis was well done. Two authors independently searched several databases, including the Cochrane database, to find randomized studies. They also conducted a hand search of urologic journals and conference proceedings. Two authors also independently abstracted data. They identified 22 studies. Only 1 study was considered to be of good quality with a Jadad score of 3 (out of a possible 5), with all the rest scoring 1 or 2. All but 1 of the studies was unblinded, and the researchers did not report on whether allocation was concealed in the studies. There was mild heterogeneity found among the alpha-blocker studies, as well as evidence of publication bias. Alpha-blockers, primarily tamsulosin, were studied in 16 trials enrolling 1235 men. Nine trials evaluated the time to stone expulsion in patients with stones of 3 mm to 18 mm in size and located in the distal portion of the ureter, with a 2-day to 6-day average improvement in time to stone passage. The calcium channel blocker was studied in 9 trials of 686 patients with an average stone size of greater than 5 mm located in all aspects of the ureter. The average reduction in time to stone expulsion was not reported, though stone passage was more likely, on average, with treatment (relative risk = 1.50; 95% CI, 1.34-1.68) over the various periods of follow-up.
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