Risk factors for urolithiasis

Abstract

Risk factors for urolithiasis Abstract. The prevalence and incidence of kidney stones has continuously increased over the last years. Recent evidence suggests that kidney stones have a substantial morbidity including chronic kidney disease and end stage kidney disease as well as significantly increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. Thus, risk stratification - especially of high-risk patients - is mandatory in the management of kidney stone patients. There is a huge variety in risk factors for nephrolithiasis including general factors (such as young age at manifestation, familial disposition), genetic or acquired diseases with risk of stone formation, drugs etc. Several prediction scores have been developed to assess recurrence risk in kidney stone formers. However, only very few studies have investigated these tools and more evidence is needed in future to proof if these scores reliably predict stone recurrence risk.