Predictors for emergency readmission in patients with ureteral calculi: a focus on pain management and stone location

Background

The management of patients with ureteral calculi in the emergency department (ED) remains challenging due to high revisit rates.

Purpose

To identify predictors of revisits among patients with ureteral calculi in the ED.

Design, setting, and participants

Data from patients who presented at a tertiary academic hospital in Seoul, Republic of Korea, between February 2018 and December 2019, were analyzed retrospectively.

Outcome measurements and statistical analysis

Variables, including the respiratory rate (RR), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), duration of pain, number of analgesic doses, location of ureteral calculi, and ED length of stay (LOS) were examined using logistic regression. We also examined some additional variables included in the STONE and CHOKAI scoring systems to examine their association with revisit.

Results

Significant predictors of revisits included the number of analgesic doses and the location of ureteral calculi. Patients who required multiple analgesic doses or those with proximal or mid-ureteral calculi were more likely to revisit the ED. Although the STONE and CHOKAI scores could predict uncomplicated ureteral calculi, we found that the CHOKAI score is a valuable tool for predicting the likelihood of patient revisits (p = 0.021).

Conclusions

Effective pain management and consideration of calculi location are important for predicting patient revisits. More research is required to validate findings, develop precise predictive models, and empower tailored care for high-risk patients.

Patient summary

In patients with ureteral calculi in the ED, the number of analgesics given and stone location predict return visits. Proximal ureteral calculi on CT may require early urologic intervention to prevent pain-related revisits.