Epidemiology of Stone Disease

Abstract

Epidemiology has improved our understanding and management of stone. These types of studies have quantified changes in patterns and burden of disease, while identification of risk factors has changed clinical practice and provided insight into pathophysiologic processes related to stone formation. Because nephrolithiasis is a complex disease, an understanding of the epidemiology, particularly the interactions among different factors, may help lead to approaches that reduce the risk of stone formation.Epidemiology is defined as the study of the distribution and determinants of disease. Epidemiology can help with the understanding and management of stone disease in several ways. First, epidemiologic studies can quantify changes in patterns and the burden of disease. Second, identification of risk factors in large epidemiologic studies may provide insight into pathophysiologic processes related to stone formation. Third, these types of studies allow examination of the interaction between factors, such as different dietary factors or geneenvironment interactions. Because nephrolithiasis is a complex disease, an understanding of the epidemiology, particularly the interactions among different factors, may help lead to approaches that reduce the risk of stone formation.

Urinary Obstruction, Stone Disease, and Infection

“…About 12% of men and 5% of women will develop urolithiasis during their lifetime. However, the prevalence is estimated to be higher in more developed countries [16][17][18][19][20]. Stone disease is also one of America's costliest health issues, accounting for approximately $2 billion annual health-care dollars [21].…”

Albumin and Its Role in Urolithiasis

“…The problem is more common in males than in females and varies with age. It is more frequent in the middle-aged males and in women in their late 20's [1]. Furthermore, whites are more prone to the disease with its highest occurrence in middle-aged white men [2,3].…”

Bariatric Surgery and Urinary Stone Disease

“…Üriner sistem taş hastalığı yaygın olarak görülen bir hastalık-tır ve dünya nüfusunun yaklaşık %5-15'ini etkilemektedir [1,2]. Üriner sistem taş hastalığının oluşumunda hem genetik hem de çevresel birçok faktör rol oynamaktadır [3].…”