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Clinical insight
P R O B E
• V o l . L I I I • N o . 3 • A p r – J u n 2 0 1 4
Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Cystone in the
Management of Urolithiasis: Meta-analysis of 50
Clinical Studies
Karamakar D, Patki PS
Internet J Alt Med
. 2010;8(1).
A B S T R A C T
The aim of the study was to carry out
the meta-analysis of 50 clinical trials for
identifying the efficacy and safety of Cystone
in urolithiasis. In all, 50 clinical studies done at
various centers between 1954 and 2004 have been
taken into account, which involved 3037 patients
(Cystone, 1837; others, 1200 of either sex). The duration
of treatment has varied from 2 weeks to 2 years and in
most of the studies, except in pediatric patients, Cystone
was used in the dose of 2 tablets thrice daily. Cystone is
efficacious in management of urolithiasis especially when the
site of urinary stone is ureter or kidney. This study indicated
a significant symptomatic relief in Cystone group. Cystone
treatment revealed a significant reduction in 24-hour urinary
excretion of oxalate (
P
< .01), uric acid (
P
< .01), calcium (
P
<
.01), magnesium, and phosphorus with a significant increase in
urine volume (
P
< .01). This analysis also indicates the safety
profile of Cystone. The adverse effects have been very mild
like dyspepsia, flatulence, and gastric irritation, which did not
necessitate the withdrawal of the drug. The outcome of clinical
studies indicated that Cystone is useful in the management
of urolithiasis as revealed by the clearance of calculi,
symptomatic relief, increased urine volume, and reduction
in the stone forming constituents in urine with negligible
adverse effects.
Key Words:
Cystone, urolithiasis, meta-analysis,
renal calculi
Introduction
Systematic reviews form a potential
method for overcoming the barriers
faced by clinicians when trying to
access and interpret evidence to help
in their practice. Evidence-based
healthcare is the integration of best
research evidence with clinical
expertise and patient values. Using
evidence from a reliable research
to inform healthcare decisions has
the potential to ensure best practice
and reduce variation in healthcare
deliveries. However, incorporating
research into practice is time
consuming and so methods that can
facilitate easy access to evidence for a
busy clinician is required.
1
Clinical trials give the evidence
regarding efficacy/safety or
otherwise about a treatment model
or medication. These studies need
to be looked at with a perspective of
creating evidence-based healthcare.
Meta-analysis is a process of
combining study results that can
be used to draw conclusions about
therapeutic effectiveness or otherwise.
2
Meta-analysis can be performed when
the studies are similar with respect to
