OBJECTIVES: To determine the role of corticosteroids in the management of urolithiasis in terms of stone expulsion rate and stones expulsion time. The present study also aims to evaluate the pharmacoeconomic impact of corticosteroids in urolithiasis management.

METHODS: A literature search using electronic databases including PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, and Science Direct was undertaken. An initial limited search of MEDLINE/Pubmed was conducted following medical subject headings (MeSH). Studies published in the English language included with no restrictions on date. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement.

RESULTS: Initial search identified 1261 records. By excluding duplicates, irrelevant titles, and abstracts screening; final review included six articles. The studies included were conducted in four countries which published between 2000 and 2016. All studies sampled patients with ureteral stones. Corticosteroids agents used were (Deflazacort, Methylprednisolone, and Prednisolone); each trial used one of them as monotherapy or in combination with medical expulsive therapy. Retrieved studies achieved their objectives by looking for stone expulsion rates and stone expulsion time, among other outcome measures.

CONCLUSIONS: Corticosteroids might improve the action of medical expulsive drugs when combined together for the treatment of ureterolithiasis. Corticosteroids reduction of the time for stone passage was statistically significant in most studies. Future prospective research and pharmacoeconomic studies are required to determine the corticosteroids actual role in the management of urinary tract stones, and if their combination is worth it.