Kidney Stones Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Kidney Stones, including details on causes, symptoms, treatment, diagnosis of nephrolithiasis, calculi.

Gender Differences among Hispanics and Caucasians in symptomatic presentation of kidney and ureteral stones.

Dall'era JE, Kim F, Chandhoke PS

Department of Surgery (Urology), University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 4200 E. 9th Avenue, Box C-319, Denver, CO 80262, USA.

PURPOSE: We determined gender differences in the symptomatic presentation of kidney and ureteral stones among the Hispanic population and compared it with presentation in the Caucasian population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on 443 patients seen in our Emergency Department or Urgent Care Center for symptomatic kidney or ureteral stones over a 5-year period. Demographic information was obtained, including sex, race, age, location of stone, stone size, and type of urologic intervention. Of the 443 patients, 263 (59%) were Hispanic, and 180 (41%) were Caucasian. RESULTS: The male-to-female ratio of the symptomatic patients with kidney stones was 1.48 for both Hispanic and Caucasian patients. The male-to-female ratio for ureteral stones was 1.06 and 2.48 for the Hispanic and Caucasian patients, respectively (P < 0.05). The rate of urologic intervention was similar among Caucasian males and females and Hispanic females (approximately 33%) but significantly lower among Hispanic males (18%). CONCLUSIONS: The relative symptomatic presentation of ureteral stones of men and women among the Hispanic population is nearly 1:1, whereas the ratio in Caucasian men and women approaches the previously reported 2.5:1. No significant racial or sex differences were noted in the symptomatic presentation of kidney stones. In comparison with Hispanic men, Hispanic women undergo significantly more urologic interventions for symptomatic urolithiasis.

Published 3 May 2005 in J Endourol, 19(3): 283-6.
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