The effect of smoking on spontaneous passage of distal ureteral stones

Abstract

BackgroundAnimal studies have shown that nicotine affects the peristalsis of the ureter. The aim of the study is to analyze the effect of smoking on spontaneous passage of distal ureteral stones.Methods88 patients in whom distal ureteral stone below 10 mm diameter diagnosed with helical computerized tomography enhanced images were reviewed. Patients were grouped as either smokers (n:33) or non smokers (n:50). Follow-up for spontaneous passage of stones was limited with 4 weeks. Patients did not receive any additional medical treatment other than non-steroid anti inflamatory drugs only during painful renal colic episodes.Two groups were compared with the chi-square test in terms of passing the stone or not. Stone passage was confirmed with either the patient collecting the stone during urination or by helical CT.ResultsSmoking habits was present in 30(34%) patients and the frequency in both groups were similar (smokers: 23(76%) vs non-smokers: 46(79%)). Spontaneous passage of the stone was observed in 69(78%) patients. The two groups were comparable in terms of patien age, male to female ratio and stone size. Stone passage decreased as stone diameter increased. Total stone passage rates were similar in both groups (smokers: 76% vs. non-smokers: 79%) (p > 0.05). Passage of stones > 4 mm was observed in 46% and 67% of smokers and non-smokers respectively. However passage of stones with a diameter ≤ 4 mm were similar in both groups (smokers: 100% vs non-smokers: 92%) (p > 0.05).ConclusionSmoking has neither a favorable nor un-favorable effect on spontaneous passage of distal ureteral stones. However, spontaneous passage rates in patients with a stone diameter > 4 mm was lower in smokers. These results should be further confirmed with studies including larger numbers of patients.

Can serum procalcitonin levels be useful in predicting spontaneous ureteral stone passage?

“…Lifestyle factors, such as smoking habits and sexual intercourse, have also been investigated in recent years as potential factors of spontaneous passage. Fazlıoğlu et al reported similar SP ratios in < 4 mm distal ureter stones for smokers and non-smokers, but for ≥ 4 mm distal ureter stones, the SP ratio was reported to be lower in smokers [25]. In another study, Bayraktar et al investigated three groups of patients with 5-10 mm distal ureteral stones receiving different treatments.…”

Significant association between RGS14 rs12654812 and nephrolithiasis risk among Guangxi population in China

“…In addition, we found the G/A + A/A genotype carriers had a higher causative effect in subgroup of age<50, ever smoking, ever drinking, creatinine normal, and high uric acid. In the past studies, age, smoking consumption, alcohol consumption, and renal function had been shown to play an important role in the formation of urolithiasis. Our results suggest that age, smoking consumption, alcohol consumption, creatinine, and uric acid may play a synergistic role with rs12654812 gene polymorphism and strengthen the genetic effect of nephrolithiasis.…”

Factors predicting the spontaneous passage of a ureteric calculus of ⩽10 mm

“…Nicotine is said to alter ureteric peristalsis, probably through its effect on the cholinergic receptors present in the ureter. Recently, Fazlioglu et al [12] reported that smoking had no effect. Similarly, we found no significant difference between smokers and non-smokers in the present study.…”