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.

Nephrolithiasis: evaluation and management.

Brener ZZ, Winchester JF, Salman H, Bergman M

Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Medical Center, New York, NY 10003, USA. brenerz@yahoo.com

Nephrolithiasis is a major cause of morbidity involving the urinary tract. The prevalence of this disease in the United States has increased from 3.8% in the 1970s to 5.2% in the 1990s. There were nearly two million physician-office visits for nephrolithiasis in the year 2000, with estimated annual costs totaling $2 billion. New information has become available on the clinical presentation, epidemiologic risk factors, evaluative approach, and outcome of various therapeutic strategies. In this report, we will review the epidemiology and mechanisms of kidney-stone formation and outline management aimed at preventing recurrences. Improved awareness and education in both the general population and among health-care providers about these modifiable risk factors has the potential to improve general health and decrease morbidity and mortality secondary to renal-stone disease.

Published 24 January 2011 in South Med J, 104(2): 133-9.
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