Assessing disease-specific health-related quality of life in patients with stones in the urinary tract (urolithiasis) using the Wisconsin Stone Quality of Life Questionnaire at Groote Schuur Hospital renal stone service

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with urolithiasis using the Wisconsin Stone Quality of Life (WISQOL) questionnaire at the Groote Schuur Hospital (GSH) renal stone service.

Materials and methods: This was a prospective, descriptive study using the validated WISQOL questionnaire. Participants were recruited from the GSH urology department, urology ward, and metabolic stone clinic. The primary objectives were to assess the disease-specific HRQOL of patients with urolithiasis and record their demographic information. Secondary objectives were to record patients’ double J (DJ) stent status, body mass index (BMI), and the number of stone procedures.

Results: A total of 100 questionnaires were administered. Participants’ median age was 46 years, and 60% were males and 40% were females. The average BMI was 28 kg/m². The median total score on the WISQOL questionnaire was 62/140 points (53–91). The most affected domains were energy, daily function, and psychological health. There was no statistical difference in HRQOL between patients with or without a DJ stent. Of the participants, 66% had a history of urolithiasis, and 88% had one or more urological procedures.

Conclusion: Using the WISQOL questionnaire, we found that patients with urolithiasis have poor HRQOL. The domains mostly affected were energy, daily function, and psychological health. Risk factors contributing towards stone formation in our study were increased BMI, male gender, and age. Understanding the holistic effects of urolithiasis on patients’ health can assist in providing more comprehensive patient-centred healthcare.