ISRCTN ISRCTN92289221
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN92289221
Secondary identifying numbers HTA 10/137/01, 3/087/12
Submission date
07/02/2013
Registration date
21/02/2013
Last edited
21/03/2022
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Urological and Genital Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims
Ureteric stones (kidney stone) are very common and painful; 2-3% of the general population (1.8 million in the UK) have suffered from this condition. Ureteric stones can pass in their own time and some patients only require initial treatment with pain killers and, if appropriate, anti-sickness medication and drugs which relax the muscle fibres of the ureter. In some cases the treatments described above do not work or patients are not suitable for such care and further routine intervention (stone removal) is required. This study is investigating two methods used to remove stones: •extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), which is a shockwave treatment applied from the outside of the body, and ureteroscopic stone treatment, a telescopic procedure to remove the stone.

Who can participate?
Patients aged 16 or older who have a single ureteric stone in the ureter

What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to be treated with either ESWL or ureteroscopy. All participants are followed up for a period of six months. Participants complete questionnaires about their general health, pain and use of painkillers at the time they join the study, directly before their treatment and again one week after the procedure. At about 8 weeks and 6 months after joining the trial participants complete further questionnaires. In addition, following their ureteric stone treatment, participants return to an outpatient clinic at their recruiting hospital to check how they are getting on. If their symptoms are still not adequately controlled they may receive further treatment as necessary.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There may be no direct benefit to patients who take part, but they will be helping doctors to assess which treatment is best and safest.

Where is the study run from?
The study is co-ordinated by the Centre for Healthcare Randomised Trials (CHaRT) and is co-sponsored by the University of Aberdeen and NHS Grampian (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2013 to February 2017

Who is funding the study?
NHS National Institute for Health Research Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, Health Technology Assessment programme (NETSCC HTA) (UK)

Who is the main contact?
Prof. S McClinton
smcclinton@nhs.net

Contact information

Prof Sam McClinton
Scientific

Department of Urology
Ward 44
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Foresterhill
Aberdeen
AB25 2ZB
United Kingdom

Email smcclinton@nhs.net

Study information

Study designMulticentre randomised controlled trial
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleA multicentre randomised controlled trial of extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, as first treatment option, compared with direct progression to ureteroscopic treatment, for ureteric stones
Study acronymTISU
Study hypothesisThe hypothesis being tested is that outcome in patients receiving extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) as their first treatment option is not inferior to outcome in patients receiving direct ureteroscopic retrieval.
Ethics approval(s)NRES Committees –- North of Scotland, 15/02/2013, ref: 13/NS/0002
ConditionUreteric stone treatment
InterventionParticipants will be randomly allocated to either ESWL or ureteroscopy.

Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) involves generation of a shock-wave, external to the body, focused on the stone, causing it to fragment with the fragments subsequently passing spontaneously. A variety of systems (differing means of generating shock-waves, different focusing mechanisms) are available. It is routinely performed in an outpatient setting with pain relief or sedation as required. Recruitment will occur only in established centres with fixed-site lithotripters. This will allow some standardisation of protocols on times to treatment and ESWL delivery. Up to two sessions of ESWL will be considered as one intervention as per standard practice.

Ureteroscopy is the use of small semi-rigid or flexible ureteroscopes, in conjunction with intracorporeal lithotripsy devices, such as the holmium laser, to directly visualise and fragment ureteric stones. Smaller stones, in the lower ureter, can often be removed intact using basketing devices. It is currently most often performed as a day-case procedure (but may require hospital admission depending on complexity) and usually requires general anaesthesia.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureThe study has a primary clinical and a primary economic outcome reflecting the multidimensional nature of the possible effects the intervention may have.

Clinical: Clearance of ureteric stones operationally defined as “no further intervention required to facilitate stone clearance” up to 6 months from randomisation.

Economic: Incremental cost per quality adjusted life years (QALYs) gained at 6 months from randomisation. QALYs are based on the responses to the EQ-5D.
Secondary outcome measuresPatient-reported, measured at pre and 1 week post intervention, 8 weeks and 6 months post randomisation:
1. Severity of pain measured by the Numeric Rating scale (NRS)
2. Generic health profile measured by the SF-12 (8 weeks and 6 months only)
3. Health status measured by the EQ5D
4. Use of analgesia
5. Acceptability of received procedure (8 weeks and 6 months only)

Clinical: Further interventions received, complications up to 6 months post randomisation

Economic: NHS primary and secondary care use and costs up to 6 months, patient costs; incremental cost per surgical interventions averted.
Overall study start date01/03/2013
Overall study end date28/02/2017

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
SexBoth
Target number of participants1000
Total final enrolment613
Participant inclusion criteria1. Presence of stone confirmed by Computed Tomography Scan of the Kidneys, Ureters and Bladder (CTKUB)
2. Patients with a ureteric stone requiring removal
3. Adults ≥16 years of age
4. Single ureteric stone requiring treatment
5. Suitable for either ESWL or ureteroscopic treatment
6. Capable of giving written informed consent, which includes adherence with the requirements of the trial.
Participant exclusion criteria1. Pregnancy
2. Stones not confirmed by CTKUB
3. Bilateral ureteric stone(s)
4. Patients with abnormal urinary tract anatomy (such as a horseshoe kidney or ileal conduit)
5. Patients unable to understand or complete trial documentation
Recruitment start date01/03/2013
Recruitment end date28/02/2017

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Scotland
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Aberdeen
AB25 2ZB
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University of Aberdeen
University/education

Research and Innovation
University Office
King’s College
Aberdeen
AB24 3FX
Scotland
United Kingdom

Website http://www.abdn.ac.uk/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/016476m91
NHS Grampian
Hospital/treatment centre

Funders

Funder type

Government

Health Technology Assessment Programme
Government organisation / National government
Alternative name(s)
NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme, HTA
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryNot provided at time of registration
Publication and dissemination planNot provided at time of registration
IPD sharing planNot provided at time of registration

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Other publications evaluation of recruitment processes 11/08/2017 Yes No
Protocol article protocol 22/05/2018 Yes No
Results article sub study results 10/02/2021 22/02/2021 Yes No
Results article 31/03/2021 21/02/2022 Yes No
Results article 01/03/2022 21/03/2022 Yes No
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No

Editorial Notes

21/03/2022: The following changes have been made:
1. Publication reference added.
2. The final enrolment number has been added from the reference.
21/02/2022: Publication reference added.
22/02/2021: Publication reference added.
24/05/2018: Publication reference added.
15/08/2017: Publication reference added.