Background: Nephrolithiasis is a worldwide health problem. Objectives This study investigated the frequency of urinary and serum metabolic abnormalities and their association with demographic characteristics in patients with nephrolithiasis.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, we assessed 376 patients with nephrolithiasis who referred to Motahari Medical Center, Shiraz from March 2017 to June 2017. Patients’ history, 24-hour urine analysis (for volume, calcium, uric acid, sodium, citrate, phosphate, and oxalate), and serum tests (for calcium, uric acid, and parathyroid hormone) were recorded in a data gathering sheet. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The most common abnormality was a low volume of 24-hour urine (< 2000 mL), (73.7%), followed by hypercalciuria (23.9%), and hyperoxaluria (19.4%). Low 24-hour urine volume was more frequent in women (80.0% vs. 64.3%, P < 0.001), while hypercalciuria (37.0% vs. 18.3%, P < 0.001), and hyperphosphaturia (6.0% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.03) were more frequent in men. Moreover, hypercalciuria was more frequent in outdoor workers (39.7% vs. 21.1%, P = 0.003), whereas low urine volume was more frequent in indoor workers (79.0% vs. 61.1%, P = 0.006). Metabolic abnormalities were not different in terms of patients’ family history.
Conclusions: Multiple factors affect the frequency and type of nephrolithiasis. Since these parameters are also influenced by race, culture, and dietary habits; thus each region must determine its own demographic features of renal stone. Based on our results, women had lower urine volume and higher urine citrate than men. Moreover, water intake is one of the most important factors that correlate with renal stone formation.