Urolithiasis Incidence Research Articles

Pediatric urolithiasis

We review the recent literature on pediatric urolithiasis and present up-to-date findings on epidemiology, diagnosis, and medical and surgical management. There are surprisingly few reliable data on pediatric urolithiasis incidence, but widespread anecdotal and single-center reports suggest that more children with stones are being seen. The contamination of Chinese infant formula with melamine caused urolithiasis and other renal problems in hundreds of thousands of infants in the region, underlining the role of environmental factors in urolithiasis. Efforts continue to determine normal metabolic parameters in children, but have been hampered by variations among regions, races, and ethnicities. The Bonn Risk Index may prove to be a useful tool for assessing risk of urolithiasis in children. Children with recurrent urolithiasis are more likely to have detectable metabolic abnormalities. Surgical approaches to urolithiasis in children continue to evolve, with robotic-assisted laparoscopy being perhaps the most significant new technique. Finally, clinicians and radiologists must be aware of the potential for dextranomer/hyaluronic acid (Deflux) implants to mimic distal ureteral stones on computed tomography (CT) scan. Pediatric urolithiasis is an expanding field, due in part to the apparent increase in cases. Research continues, seeking to refine the appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in these unfortunate children.

Influential Nutrient in Urolithiasis Incidence: Protein or Meat?

We evaluated the relationship between dietary regimen and the incidence of urolithiasis in various regions. This was a population-based, cross-sectional study. The setting involved 787 imaging centers in 12 socioeconomic regions in Iran. Using a multistage, stratified sampling during 4 seasonal phases, 6127 cases of urolithiasis were detected from referrals to 787 radiology centers in 30 provinces across Iran. The dietary style of the provinces was obtained from an accredited registry, and its relationship with the incidence of urolithiasis in the same region was evaluated by meta-regression models. No significant relationship was detected between urolithiasis incidence and daily intake of calcium, sodium chloride, or dairy products in univariate models. In contrast, the daily consumption of meat and protein had a significant correlation with the regional incidence of urolithiasis. Meat consumption had a direct correlation with the incidence of urolithiasis. Protein intake had a significant U-shaped correlation with the incidence of urolithiasis, indicating a high incidence in regions with a high-protein diet, as well as with a low-protein diet. The proportion of meat consumption to total protein intake was similar in both regions, and higher than in regions with a medium-protein intake and low incidence of urolithiasis. A high proportion of meat consumption, in conjunction with either a low or high total protein intake, was correlated with a high regional incidence of urolithiasis.

Incidencia y prevalencia de la urolitiasis en España: Revisión de los datos originales disponibles hasta la actualidad

IntroductionSan Antonio, Somacarrera (1977 and Rousaud-Inmark 1984) studies established the first data of incidence and prevalence about urolithiasis in Spain. Other regional or national epidemiologic details were given for several authors from (1977 to 2002). Material and MethodSixteen papers with original data about incidence or prevalence have been selected, 5 of them are about incidence, 8 about prevalence and 3 include both. Ten papers are based on poblational research (San Antonio, Martín, Pedrajas, Rousaud-Inmark, Torres, Ripa, Romero, Grases, Alapont, Aíbar), 5 on subjective estimations (Solé-Balcells, Cifuentes, Puigvert, Serrallach, Conte) and one include both (Somacarrera). Seven papers are nationwide and 9 are about local areas. A map with different location studies is presented and a data register show incidence and prevalence medians. ResultsThe Spanish median urolithiasis incidence is 0’73%, corresponding to 325,079 new cases per year; and the prevalence is 5’06%, corresponding to 2,233,214 cases. DiscussionMethodologically the best epidemiologic studies about lithiasis are based on general population survey. The commonest slant is extract data from retrospective clinical registers. Most studies have significant methodological difficulties, but they reflected interest about epidemiology of stone disease in Spain. There is a concordance between Spanish results and international published data.

Evaluation of urinary calculi by infrared spectroscopy.

We analyzed urinary calculi composition and its relationship with gender, age, calculus weight, color, and location. Two hundred and forty one patients with urinary calculus, who had undergone open lithotomy from June 1999 to April 2001, were enrolled in this prospective study which was performed by Tehran and Oroomieh Medical Sciences Universities. The calculi compositions were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy in Bonn University. Statistical analyses were made by paired t test. One hundred and forty five males with a mean age of 40.4 years and 96 females with a mean age of 42.5 years were enrolled in this study. Mean calculus weight was 4.28 gr. Mean calculus number was 4.33. Thirty four (14.1%) calculi were pure (carbonate apatite: 2, brushite: 1, uric acid: 19, cystine: 3, weddellite: 6, mono-NH4-urate: 2, struvite: 1), 207(85.6%) were mixed and none of them contained octa-ca-phosphate, apatite, newberyte, 2,8-dihydroxyadenine, mono-Na-urate, or xanthine. Weddellite was found in 77% of calculi. It comprised more than 50% of them in 26% of cases. Whewellite crystals were found in 78% of calculi. It comprised more than 50% of them in 46% of cases. The most common pure calculus was uric acid and the most common component of calculi was whewellite followed by weddellite. Although there is no comprehensive study on urolithiasis incidence and prevalence in Iran, it can be concluded that whewellite and weddellite may be the most common components of urolithiasis in Iran and uric acid calculi are the most common pure calculi. There was no significant difference in calculi composition in our study.

Pulmonary Hypertension and Familial Mediterranean Fever: A Previously Unrecognized Association

Familial Mediterranean fever is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of fever accompanied by inflammation of the peritoneum, pleura, synovial membranes, and skin. The disorder predominantly affects persons of Mediterranean origin. The most serious complication of the disease is amyloidosis, which is the cause of death in a substantial proportion of adult patients with the disorder. Only one previous report has described pulmonary hypertension in a patient with systemic amyloidosis associated with multiple myeloma. Herein we describe the first known occurrence of pulmonary hypertension due to pulmonary amyloidosis in a 48-year-old woman with familial Mediterranean fever. Postmortem examination showed extensive deposits of amyloid in the pulmonary vessels, alveolar capillary walls, and myocardium, which explained the hypoxia, hypotension, and terminal cardiac arrhythmias that were the immediate cause of death in this patient.

Distribution of blood groups of the ABO system in patients with urolithiasis.

The relationships between urolithiasis, ureterolithiasis and blood groups have been analysed. The examinations of 1451 women and 1611 men confirmed the occurrence of statistical relationships of blood groups A, AB and 0 and those diseases. They did not occur in blood group B. Urolithiasis incidence rate was similar in men and women. The highest morbidity rate fell on the fourth decade of life in women and on the fifth decade in men.

Urolithiasis and coronary heart disease: a note on association.

Westlund, K. (Univ. of Tromsö, 9010 Åsgård Sykehus, Norway). Urolithiasis and coronary heart disease: A note on association. Am J Epidemiol 97: 167–172, 1973.—The incidence of myocardial infarction was investigated in male urolithiasis patients and found to be close to expectation. The distribution of risk variables was examined for men who had a diagnosis of urolithiasis made in the course of two prospective studies primarily directed towards coronary heart disease. Serum cholesterol was found to be slightly higher for the men who had urolithiasis than for other men, corresponding to a 20 per cent excess risk. Cigarettes, blood pressure, and weight/height showed no significant association with urolithiasis incidence. The incidence of urolithiasis declined with increasing age in men above the age of 40.