Observational Approach Versus Surgical Intervention for Stones

The aims of the Observational Approach versus Surgical Intervention for Asymptomatic Stone (OASIS) trial are: 1) to determine whether observation compared to upfront surgery results in less healthcare-related life disruption due to kidney stones among children and adults with asymptomatic kidney stones; 2) to identify the groups benefiting the most from each strategy; and 3) to determine the preferences and values informing the choice between observation and upfront surgery.

A critical barrier to improving the health of the nearly 40 million Americans with kidney stone disease is the weak evidence base supporting the management of individuals with asymptomatic kidney stones. The proposed Observational Approach versus Surgical Intervention for Asymptomatic Stone (OASIS) randomized clinical trial answers the research question of whether observation or upfront surgery results in less life disruption from asymptomatic kidney stones for children and adults. The management options for patients with asymptomatic stones are 1) observation or 2) upfront surgical treatment, both of which are considered safe, part of usual care, widely accessible, and covered by insurance.

OASIS responds to the charge for well-designed Randomized Controlled Trials (RCT) from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) systematic review on kidney stone disease management and ensures patient centeredness by examining outcomes that patients have identified as meaningful.

Intervention

Randomization to either:

1. Observation is the surveillance of asymptomatic stones with periodic CT, ultrasound, or x-ray, and clinic visits.
2. Upfront surgery is the planned removal of asymptomatic stones and includes ureteroscopy (URS) and shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), which are routinely used in standard clinical care.

Observational Cohort (Non-Randomized Cohort):

Up to 300 eligible subjects who are willing to consent to data collection but refuse randomization will be enrolled and followed for two years.

Study Design OASIS is a pragmatic randomized controlled superiority trial conducted at approximately 30 sites that participate in Patient Centered Outcomes Research Network (PCORnet). The trial will include an additional observational cohort for eligible subjects who decline randomization.