Prevalence of Nephrolithiasis in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease: A Case–Control Study

Abstract

Nephrolithiasis is known to be associated with several systemic diseases including chronic kidney disease and renal failure, which can also occur as a complication of chronic liver disease (CLD). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of nephrolithiasis in patients with CLD. A short survey was completed by 198 patients with CLD and 322 controls matched by age, sex, and state of residence. A primary diagnosis of liver disease was confirmed with health record review. The median age of the liver disease group was 63 years and 128 (65%) were male; the median age of the control group was 63 and 199 (63%) were male. Body mass index was higher in the liver disease group (27.8 vs 26.7, P<.01). The most common liver disease diagnosis was hepatitis C (60 [30%]) followed by alcoholic cirrhosis (42 [21.2%]). The self-reported prevalence of nephrolithiasis in the liver disease group was 26%, compared to 14% in the control group (P<.01). This association remained significant after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, and family history of kidney stones or liver disease. In this case-control, survey-based study, the prevalence of nephrolithiasis was 2 times higher in patients with CLD.