UROLITHIASIS RISK FACTORS IN A FOLLOW UP STUDY

Abstract

Urolithiasis is a common disorder since antiquity. Its geography varies greatly by the humanitarian development .It has a prevalence rate of 1-5% worldwide, 2-13% in developed countries, 0.5-1.0% in the developing ones. The overall probability of forming stones differs in various parts ofthe world: 1-S% in Asia, 5-9% Europe, 13% North America and 20% in Saudi Arabia. In the West the lifetime stone prevalence and incidence are::;; 8-15% and 0.1-0.4% of the population and the likelihood that a white man will develop stone disease by age 70 years is::;; 1 in 8. Urolithiasis in the tropics is compounded by low urine volumes due to hot climate, chronic diarrhoea, high fluid losses and repeated infection. Besides its high prevalence, urolithiasis has high morbidity and socio-economical impact, and low mortality. It affects man in the mid of his life [20-40 years] during his utmost productivity and responsibility.

Clinical viewpoint, urinary stone disease commonly manifests by severe acute abdomen that necessitates emergency medical and/or surgical intervention. Furthermore, urinary stone recurrence escalates its morbidity and hospitalization burden. The chance of stone recurrence after the first attack reaches 70-80% with 10% cumulative annual estimate. Numerous avoidable and unavoidable factors have been proved to be involved in promotion or inhibition of urolithiasis. A great progress has evolved in urolithiasis management The advent of extracorporeal techniques and the refinements in endoscopic surgery greatly decreased the surgery-associated morbidity. The new treatment paradigms target two hurdles, the first addresses the clinical aspect to achieve stone free status. The second focuses on correcting the underlying risk factors to prevent stone recurrence.