The prevalence of kidney stones is climbing in the United States.
Several investigators have demonstrated an association between metabolic syndrome and kidney stones and some have proposed a causal link. Risk factors for nephrolithiasis can be identified with a 24-hour urine collection and preventive measures can be customized to meet the needs of individual patients. Dietary and pharmacologic interventions are available to address urinary risk factors such as inadequate urine volume, hypercalcuria, hyperoxaluria, hyperuricosuria and hypocitraturia. Given that morbidity and healthcare costs associated with nephrolithiasis are on the rise, deterring stone formation is increasingly important. Multidisciplinary clinics that foster collaboration between urologists, nephrologists and dieticians offer patients effective prevention and treatment strategies.
Written by:
Richman K, O'Bell J, Pareek G. Are you the author?
University Medicine's Division of Hypertension and Kidney Diseases and Assistant Professor of Medicine, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University; Kidney Stone Center at The Miriam Hospital and Medicine at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University; Kidney Stone Center at The Miriam Hospital and minimally invasive urologic surgery at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
Reference: R I Med J (2013). 2014 Dec 2;97(12):31-4.
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25463625