Improving the Detection of Concurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Patients with Renal Colic: A Prospective External Validation Study

Finding Better Ways to Check for Infections in People with Kidney Stones

Primary Investigator
M
Marcelino Rivera

Primary Investigator

Enrolling By Invitation
18 years - 100 years
All

Brief description of study

The purpose of this study is to identify a better tool for diagnosing patients with urinary infections and kidney stones when they come to the emergency room with abdominal or back pain (renal colic). This tool will help practitioners identify more easily if patients have a urinary infection along with a kidney stone. the primary objective is to predict accuracy of a new 4-point risk score which predicts a clinically significant UTI in patients presenting to the emergency department with obstructing kidney stones and concern for UTI requiring a ureteric stent or nephrostomy tube.

THIS STUDY IS ENROLLING BY INVITATION ONLY - Potential participants with 1 or more obstructive urinary tract calculi on CT scan in the emergency department and urology consultation for consideration of decompression (nephrostomy tube or ureteric stent) will be approached in the ER by the study team about study participation.

Detailed description of study

Patients will receive standard of care for treatment and an additional three tests: urine culture, pro-calcitonin and c-reactive protein. Interventions will occur once during their Emergency stay. The blood specimen drawn for standard of care will be used to assay the pro-calcitonin and c-reactive protein. Urine will come from remnant urine from standard of care urinalysis. No additional blood or urine are needed.

Eligibility of study

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:

  • Conditions: Renal Colic, Obstructive urinary tract calculi
  • Age: 18 years - 100 years
  • Gender: All

Inclusion criteria:

• Undergo CT scan identifying obstructive urinary tract calculi during evaluation in emergency department with urology consultation for evaluation of potential urinary tract decompression (via ureteric stent or nephrostomy tube).

This study investigates how to better diagnose urinary tract infections (UTIs) in patients who have kidney stones and come to the emergency room with pain in their belly or back, known as renal colic. The purpose of this study is to see if a new 4-point risk score can accurately predict if these patients have a significant UTI. This score will help doctors decide if a patient needs a special tube called a ureteric stent or nephrostomy tube to relieve a blockage in the urinary tract.

In this study, patients will receive their usual medical care and undergo three additional tests: a urine culture, and tests for pro-calcitonin and c-reactive protein. These tests will be done using samples collected during their normal care, so no extra blood or urine samples are needed. The study procedures will only happen once during the patient's stay in the emergency room.

  • Who can participate: Participants must have a CT scan showing obstructive kidney stones and be evaluated for potential urinary tract decompression in the emergency department. There are no specific age restrictions.
  • Study details: Participants will provide samples during their emergency room visit for additional tests. They will have standard medical care and three extra tests using samples from their routine care. These tests will check for urine culture, pro-calcitonin, and c-reactive protein.
Updated on 14 Aug 2026. Study ID: 2011872812
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Interested in the study?

This study is accepting only persons who receive care at a certain clinic or doctor or who are part of an invited group. Questions about this study can be directed to the study team listed in the description or contact your doctor to see if you are eligible.

Accepting Referrals by Invitation Only