Lunar Phases and Emergency Department Visits for Renal Colic Due to Ureteral Calculus

Abstract

BackgroundUrolithiasis affects an estimated 5% of the population and the lifetime risk of passing a stone in the urinary tract is estimated to be 8–10%. Urinary calculus formation is highly variable and while certain risk factors such as age, gender, seasonality, anatomic abnormality, and metabolic diseases have been identified, not much is known regarding the association of environmental factors such as lunar phases on renal colic. We conducted a retrospective study to test the hypothesis that full moon phase is an environmental factor associated for increased emergency department (ED) visits for renal colic due to ureteral calculus.MethodsWe analyzed 559 renal colic diagnoses by the ED at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in a 24-month period and compared them with corresponding lunar phases as well as supermoon events. The lunar phases were defined as full moon ± two days, new moon ± two days, and the days in-between as normal days according to the lunar calendar. Supermoon event dates were obtained from NASA.Results90 cases (16.1%) were diagnosed during full moon phase, 89 cases (15.9%) were diagnosed during new moon phase, and 380 cases (68.0%) were diagnosed during normal days. The incidence of renal colic showed no statistically significant association with lunar phases or supermoon events.ConclusionIn this retrospective longitudinal study with adequate power, neither full moon phase nor supermoon event exhibited an association with increased renal colic diagnoses due to ureteral calculus by the ED at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Lunar cycle, seasonal variation, and prevalence of emergency urological presentations: correlation or coincidence?—A preliminary report

“…However, a recent study showed no significant relationship between the lunar cycle or super moon and renal colic due to ureteral calculus. [23] Our study findings support the results presented by Arampatzis et al [22] and Yang et al [23] who both reported no significant association between the diagnoses of urological conditions and the lunar cycle. Qazi et al [24] reported that emergency urological admissions were increased on full moon days and were lower on new moon days.…”

External validation of STONE, modified STONE, and CHOKAI scores for the diagnosis of ureteral stones in the Turkish population

“…The lifetime expectancy of urolithiasis in the population is 5%, of which 8% of emergency visits require admission. [1][2][3] All patients must be assessed carefully according to their history, physical examination, and laboratory findings. Urinary stones are frequently treated in the ED, and patients are usually evaluated with computed tomography (CT).…”

“…Flank pain is one of the most prevalent causes of emergency department (ED) admission. The lifetime expectancy of urolithiasis in the population is 5%, of which 8% of emergency visits require admission 1–3 . All patients must be assessed carefully according to their history, physical examination, and laboratory findings.…”