A group of researchers and clinicians from Teesside have been awarded £2.7 million to lead a major national study aimed at improving care for patients living with ureteric obstruction.
The Academic Centre for Surgery (ACeS) based at The James Cook University Hospital will lead the study alongside researchers from the University of York, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board.
Funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), the ‘Stents In Ureteric Stricture (SInUS) Randomised Controlled Trial’ will compare two types of stents used to treat blockages in the ureter – the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. It is set to be the largest urology study taking place in the UK.
A ureteral obstruction is a blockage in one or both of the tubes (ureters) that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder and can lead to serious kidney damage. It often requires emergency treatment using a temporary Polymeric Short-term Stent (PSS). It is commonly called JJ or DJ stent. While effective, these stents typically need to be replaced every three to six months under anaesthetic, which can be uncomfortable for patients.
The SInUS trial will investigate whether an alternative segmental intra-ureteric stent (SIS) is a better option for patients. Unlike traditional stents, SIS devices can remain in place for more than a year and do not sit in the bladder, potentially reducing stent-related symptoms, hospital visits and the need for repeat procedures. However, SIS is not routinely used in the NHS due to limited research on how well it works compared to PSS.
The trial will recruit 334 patients who are already undergoing stent treatment and are due to have a replacement stent fitted. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either the standard PSS or the newer SIS. The trial will be measuring symptoms, quality of life, complications and cost-effectiveness of the alternative procedure.
Mr Chandrasekharan Badrakumar, consultant urologist and chief investigator for the study, said: “This study is not just about understanding how to best manage the disease, but about better understanding the patient’s experience with ureteric stents. It’s about being able to improve their care and to ultimately help both clinicians and patients to make informed decisions around choosing the best ureteric stent for them – to help them to live better and longer.
This is a brilliant opportunity to be a part of and has the potential to make a significant difference in our patient's lives, who can spend less time in hospital and more time living their lives.”
About the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)
The mission of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. The mission of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research.
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