The impact of urinary stone disease and their treatment on patients ’ quality of life: a qualitative study

The objective is to understand the impact of urinary stone disease and treatment s on patients’ HRQoL, from patients’ and their relatives’ perspective using qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Semi-structured interviews and a focus group were used to understand the HRQoL issues of patients with urinary stones disease, covering the American Urology Association index stone categories. Thematic analysis was performed (using qualitative data analysis software). Familial impact was assessed using the family-related outcome measure (FROM-16©). 62 patients with stone disease and interventions (mean age 51, range 19–92) participated. Data collection stopped when d ata saturation was achieved. Analysis revealed negative impact of stone disease and interventions on the patients’ HRQoL, affecting domains of pain, physical symptoms, outlook on life, work/career, change in lifestyle/diet, social life, difficulties of daily living, travel/holiday problems, relati onships and family member impact (106 themes grouped under ten broad headings). Sub-group analyses revealed similar impact in either sex, ureteric and renal stone groups. Recurrent stones were associated with work/financial concerns and treatment preferences varied accordingly. Our qualitative study presents detailed insights into the multidimensional impact of urinary calculi and their treatments on various domains of the HRQoL, confirming previous findings and adding new observations. The findings are expected...
Source: Urolithiasis - Category: Urology & Nephrology Source Type: research