Which efficiency index for urinary stones treatment?

Urol Res. 2009 Aug;37(4):237-9. doi: 10.1007/s00240-009-0200-x. Epub 2009 Jun 10.

Abstract

Clinical results in urinary stones management are often reported using the stone-free (SF) rate, which is simple, reproducible and useful to compare techniques or centers. But this index does not take into account costs or patients' quality of life. In a way, SF "pursuit", which cannot be considered as a universal therapeutic goal could increase costs and decrease patients' comfort. We retrospectively reviewed files of stone management to describe costs according to several items and we emphasize the need for a true efficiency index.

Publication types

  • Letter

MeSH terms

  • Health Care Costs
  • Humans
  • Kidney Calculi / economics
  • Kidney Calculi / therapy*
  • Length of Stay
  • Quality of Life
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urinary Calculi / economics
  • Urinary Calculi / therapy*
  • Urolithiasis / economics
  • Urolithiasis / therapy*