High-dose dexamethasone to relieve ureteral stent symptoms after kidney stone procedure

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This interventional study compares two doses of dexamethasone given at the time of surgery for patients receiving a ureteral stent after ureteroscopy for kidney stones. Participants are randomized to receive either 20 mg or 4 mg of dexamethasone, and they complete questionnaires on postoperative days 1 and 2, plus a one-week medication diary. Follow-up visits occur around day 2 and days 4–7 after surgery, with a total study duration of about 30 days. The primary aim is to see if the higher dose improves quality of life by day 2 and reduces urinary symptoms and pain.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Age 18-70 years old
2. Patients who are undergoing unilateral retrograde ureteroscopy (semi-rigid or flexible) with planned ureteral stent placement for treatment of renal/ureteral stones
3. Patients who can read and understand English
4. Patients who can follow up post-operatively within 7 days at Houston Methodist Hospital

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Untreated UTI
2. HbA1c ≥6.5 on preoperative testing
3. Patients with prior diagnosis of any type of diabetes mellitus
4. Patients with immunosuppression, including chronic corticosteroid use
5. Patients with bleeding disorder
6. Patients with chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, and liver failure.
7. Patients taking strong CYP3A4 inducers or inhibitors within two weeks of screening
8. Chronic opioid analgesic use
9. Congenital renal abnormalities (e.g. pelvic kidney, ureteric duplication) that may impair stent placement
10. Concurrent genitourinary malignancy
11. Urinary diversion
12. Renal transplantation
13. History of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome, prostatitis, pelvic pain due to other conditions (e.g. endometriosis)
14. Neurologic disorder (e.g. spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida)
15. Pregnant or breastfeeding
16. Patients with cognitive impairments or untreated psychiatric illness

Where it's running

• Houston Methodist Hospital
  Houston, Texas, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Monica Morgan, MD — The Methodist Hospital Research Institute
• Study coordinator: Farida Tufail
• Email: ftufail@houstonmethodist.org
• Phone: 713-269-0186

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

• Tamsulosin versus solifenacin versus mirabegron to ease ureteral stent symptoms

  This study will test whether tamsulosin, solifenacin, or mirabegron help adults with ureteral stents after stone surgery have less pain and urinary discomfort.

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• Comparing Two Ureteral Stent Designs in Children with Kidney Stones

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• ComfiJ vs. standard double-J stent after ureteroscopy or RIRS

  This trial tests whether a ComfiJ ureteral stent causes fewer urinary symptoms than a conventional double-J stent in adults needing short-term stenting after ureteroscopy or RIRS for stones.

  Recruiting at 3 sites Beni-Suef University · Banī Suwayf, Beni Suweif Governorate and 2 other locations · NCT07627828

• Melatonin and Solifenacin for stent-related symptoms after ureteroscopy

  This study tests whether solifenacin, melatonin, or both can reduce stent-related urinary symptoms and improve sleep after ureteroscopic stone treatment.

  Recruiting Phase 2 Beni-Suef University · Banī Suwayf, BeniSuef · NCT07617922

How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.