Quality of life for ureteral stone patients (diversion)

The high prevalence and incidence of urinary stone disease, the severity of its symptoms, its high recurrence rate and resulting healthcare costs, make urolithiasis a chronic disease with significant impact on healthcare services and patient quality of life. There are several general tools available to assess health related quality of life in patients with chronic illnesses, as well as some specific ones directed to urinary stone disease, such as the ureteral stent symptom questionnaire. Patients with an obstructive ureteral stone or those indwelling a ureteral stent, often present symptoms that may affect their quality of life considerably. Patient education and counselling regarding stent-related symptoms, as well as medical treatment, may help improve their perception of quality of life.