# Extension of Urinary Stone Disease Research Network (USDRN) at Washington University

> **NIH NIH U01** · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $630,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Urinary Stone Disease (USD) is an increasingly prevalent and highly recurrent condition associated
with major morbidity at a rising cost to society. Thus, improved management can significantly reduce
its health burden. Increasing fluid intake is recommended to all USD patients. However, knowledge
gaps persist regarding the impact of fluid therapy in preventing USD recurrence including
effectiveness of strategies to achieve and maintain a high urine volume, and whether such strategies
reduce USD recurrence. The Prevention of Urinary Stones with Hydration (PUSH) study is a
randomized clinical trial investigating the impact of increased fluid intake and increased urine output
on the recurrence rate of USD in adults and children. In this study 1,642 participants will be
randomized to a control or intervention arm. Participants in both arms receive a “smart water bottle”.
The intervention arm involves an additional program of behavioral interventions, including financial
incentives, structured problem solving, and low touch interventions designed to improve adherence to
a prescribed fluid intake regimen. The primary endpoint is occurrence of a stone event during a two-
year observation period. The PUSH study is in its third year, and due to multiple challenges to
recruitment of study participants, follow-up of participants and data collection have not yet been
completed. Additional time is needed to ensure study completion and to accomplish all study goals.
Although ureteral stenting is routinely performed after urological procedures for USD to mitigate peri-
operative complications, stents cause significant patient discomfort. The causal mechanisms are only
partly understood. The STudy to Enhance uNderstanding of sTent-associated Symptoms (STENTS)
is a prospective observational cohort study enrolling adolescents and adults undergoing
ureteroscopic intervention for ureteral and/or renal stones. Participants undergo detailed symptom
assessment using validated questionnaires, a psychosocial assessment, quantitative sensory testing
for evaluation of pain sensitization, and detailed collection of clinical and operative data.
Biospecimens (blood and urine) are being collected for future research. Recruitment to the STENTS
study and follow-up of the participants are expected to be completed on time. However, additional
time and resources are needed for analysis of collected study data. In Aim 1 of this application, the
investigators will continue and complete participant enrollment for the PUSH study, continue
biospecimen collection for the NIDDK Repository, analyze the data, and prepare and submit several
planned manuscripts related to the study hypotheses. In Aim 2 of this application, the investigators
will analyze the data from the STENTS studies, interpret findings, and disseminate findings through
peer reviewed publications.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10339955
- **Project number:** 2U01DK110986-06
- **Recipient organization:** WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Hing Hung Henry Lai
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $630,000
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2016-09-01 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10339955

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10339955, Extension of Urinary Stone Disease Research Network (USDRN) at Washington University (2U01DK110986-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10339955. Licensed CC0.

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