MP14-02: The Social Impact of Surgery for Nephrolithiasis: Results from the Endourologic Society TOWER Research Collaborative

Amanda Jones*, Christian Rodriguez, George Lin, Hanna Stambakio, Philadelphia, PA, Ben Chew, Vancouver , Canada, Joshua Stern, Park City, UT, Justin Ziemba, Philadelphia, PA

Introduction: Nephrolithiasis is among the most common urological conditions. However, the social impact of the disease remains significantly understudied, particularly following surgical intervention. We prospectively captured patient-reported ability to participate in social roles and activities in patients following ureteroscopy (URS) or percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for nephrolithiasis.

Methods: Adults undergoing URS or PCNL for renal/ureteral stones were eligible for inclusion (10/2020-10/2021). Patients prospectively completed PROMIS-Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities instrument pre-operatively (POD 0) and via email on POD 1, 7, and 14. Scores are reported as T-scores (normalized to US pop., mean=50) with a change of 5 (0.5 SD) considered clinically significant. All post-operative ureteral stents and/or nephrostomy tubes were removed by POD 7.

Results: A total of 145 patients completed enrollment, 102 of which underwent URS and 43 of which underwent PCNL. For URS, there was an acute worsening of social participation between POD 0 and 1, but this recovered and even improved to above the baseline between POD 7 and 14 (repeated measures ANOVA; p <0.001) (Figure 1). For PCNL, there was a similar acute worsening of social participation between POD 0 and 1, but this did not recover and remained below the baseline even at POD 14 (repeated measures ANOVA; p<0.001) (Figure 2).

Conclusions: Ability to participate in social roles and activities declines immediately post-operatively for both patients undergoing URS and PCNL. However, there appears to be a relatively rapid recovery for patients undergoing URS between POD 7 and 14, but patients undergoing PCNL experience a greater impact with recovery beyond POD 14. Results offer meaningful insights to assist in counseling patients prior to the surgical treatment of nephrolithiasis.

Source of Funding: None