WeChat-Based Digital Therapy to Improve Fluid Intake in Kidney Stone Patients: Study Protocol

Launched by THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG · May 21, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study tests whether a WeChat-based digital tool can help people who have had urinary stones after surgery drink more fluids and track their urine, with the goal of preventing more stones. Adults (both men and women) with a history of urinary stones who have had related surgery, and who currently drink less than about 2.5 liters of fluids per day, are invited to join. People who have certain kidney problems, infections, heart failure, severe psychiatric issues, pregnancy, very complicated stone surgery, or other conditions that could raise stone risk are not eligible. Participants must be able to use WeChat and give informed consent.

If you join, you’ll be randomly assigned to either standard care (the usual advice about fluids) or standard care plus the WeChat applet. The applet will send reminders to drink fluids, let you record daily fluid intake and urine details, and provide extra education about preventing stones. You’ll also have follow-up phone calls. The main things researchers will measure are 24-hour urine volume and 24-hour fluid intake over about three months. They’ll also look at quality of life, mood, physical activity, and how often you visit the clinic or are readmitted for stone-related issues. The study is led by The University of Hong Kong with a site in Shenzhen, China, and results are expected after the trial finishes in late 2025. Researchers plan to share de-identified data with other qualified scientists after completion.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • With a history of urinary calculi and having received urolithiasis surgery before
• • 24-hour fluid intake \< 2500 ml
• • Age ≥ 18 years old
• • Able to use WeChat daily
• • Able to read and write informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Participants with obstructive uropathy, chronic urosepsis, renal failure, and renal tubular acidosis
• • Participants with congestive heart failure, psychiatric conditions, pregnancy, and primary hyperparathyroidism
• • Participants experienced complicated urolithiasis surgery.
• • History of recurrent UTI (urinary tract infection) (\>3/year)
• • Medication use increases stone risk.
• • Participants with physical disabilities