Impact of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy on Quality of Life in Pediatric Urinary Stone Patients

OpenAlex İngilizce

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (SWL), a commonly used treatment for pediatric urinary stone disease, on children's quality of life (QoL) using a validated and reliable QoL instrument (PedsQL™ 4.0). Materials and Methods:In this prospective study, patients under the age of 18 who were scheduled for SWL due to kidney or ureteral stones between March 2018 and March 2020 were included.The age-appropriate PedsQL™ 4.0 questionnaire was administered before SWL, and on days 3 and 14 post-treatment.The relationship between QoL scores and parameters such as stone-free status, age, gender, stone location, and stone size was statistically analyzed.Results: A total of 36 children (21 males and 15 females) were included.The stone-free rate after the first SWL session was 63.9%.QoL scores significantly decreased on day 3 post-SWL (p=0.031)but significantly improved by the second week compared to baseline (p=0.001).Notably, children aged 2-7 years, those with lower calyceal stones, stone size <1 cm, and stone-free status had significantly better QoL scores.Conclusion: Although pediatric SWL may temporarily reduce QoL in the early postoperative period, it significantly improves QoL by the second week.Age, stone location, stone size, and achieving a stone-free status are important factors influencing QoL outcomes.