Epidemiology of stone disease

Urinary lithiasis is a common condition in many parts of the world, with a peak prevalence of 5-10% in Western societies (Stamatelou et al. 2003; Lieske et al. 2006). While the symptomatic stone event garners most attention from patients and physicians alike, emerging evidence suggests that stone disease should be considered a systemic disorder, characterized by a chronic metabolic condition that is periodically punctuated by a symptomatic stone event. A thorough understanding of the epidemiology of stone disease provides important insights into potential strategies for managing patients with urinary lithiasis. This chapter will provide an overview of the prevalence of stone disease, discuss contextual factors that may influence the development of kidney stones, and delineate mutable and fixed risk factors for the disease.

Duke Scholars

Author Charles Douglas Scales Jr. Urology