Recommendations for research

The guideline committee has made the following key recommendations for research.

1 Metabolic assessment

What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of full metabolic assessment compared with standard advice alone, in people with recurrent calcium oxalate stones?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale on metabolic testing.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review A: metabolic investigations.

2 Alpha blockers and ureteroscopy

What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of tamsulosin as an adjunct to ureteroscopy?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale on medical expulsive therapy as adjunctive to shockwave lithotripsy.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review D: medical expulsive therapy.

3 Preventive treatment following shockwave lithotripsy

What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of empirical potassium citrate or bendroflumethiazide as preventive treatment for people with small residual fragments following shockwave lithotripsy for renal and ureteric stones?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale on preventing recurrence.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review C: dietary interventions and evidence review K: prevention of recurrence.

4 Frequency of follow‑up imaging

What is the clinical and cost effectiveness of 6‑monthly imaging for 3 years for people with recurrent calcium renal or ureteric stones?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale on frequency of follow-up imaging.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review J: imaging for follow-up.

5 Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – route of administration

What is the most clinically and cost effective route of administration for NSAIDs in the management of acute pain thought to be due to renal or ureteric stones?

For a short explanation of why the committee made the recommendation for research, see the rationale on pain management.

Full details of the evidence and the committee's discussion are in evidence review E: pain management.

  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)