Shockwave lithotripsy cost-effective than ureteroscopic stone treatment: Study

UK: Shockwave lithotripsy versus primary ureteroscopic retrieval is associated with the need for further interventions in patients with ureteric stones, the overall costs was however lower with shockwave treatment, says a recent study. The study appears in Health Technology Assessment, a medical journal published by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). 

The researchers found a lower than expected absolute risk difference between the two clinical pathways (11.4%) and at a level that is acceptable to clinicians and patients. Also, the shockwave lithotripsy pathway was shown to more cost-effective in an NHS setting, but was linked to a lower quality of life. 

About 2-3% of the general population is affected by urinary stone disease -- which are associated with severe pain and can significantly impact patient's quality of life. Most ureteric stones mass spontaneously with supportive care; however, between one-fifth and one-third of patients require an active intervention. Shockwave lithotripsy and ureteroscopic stone treatment are two standard interventions. Both the treatments are effective but may be differ with regards to treatment setting, invasiveness, anaesthetic requirement, complications, patient-reported outcomes and cost. However, it is uncertain on which is more clinically effective and cost-effective treatment.

Against the above background, Ranan Dasgupta, Department of Urology, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, UK, and colleagues aimed to determine if shockwave lithotripsy is clinically effective and cost-effective versus ureteroscopic stone treatment in adults with ureteric stones who are judged to require active intervention in a pragmatic, multicentre, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial performed across urology departments in 25 NHS hospitals in the UK.

Eligible participants were randomised in the ratio of to receive shockwave lithotripsy (up to two sessions) or ureteroscopic stone treatment. 

"The finding of a lack of any significant additional clinical benefit leads to the conclusion that the more cost-effective treatment pathway is shockwave lithotripsy with telescopic surgery used only in those patients in whom shockwave lithotripsy is unsuccessful," wrote the authors. 

Reference:

Dasgupta R, Cameron S, Aucott L, MacLennan G, Kilonzo MM, Lam TB, Thomas R, Norrie J, McDonald A, Anson K, N'Dow J, Burgess N, Clark CT, Keeley FX, MacLennan SJ, Starr K, McClinton S. Shockwave lithotripsy compared with ureteroscopic stone treatment for adults with ureteric stones: the TISU non-inferiority RCT. Health Technol Assess. 2022 Mar;26(19):1-70. doi: 10.3310/WUZW9042. PMID: 35301982; PMCID: PMC8958411.

KEYWORDS: NIHR, urinary stone disease, shockwave lithotripsy, ureteric stones, quality of life, kidney stones, ureteroscopic stone treatment, cost effective, Ranan Dasgupta