Kidney stones are a condition characterized by the formation and presence of stones in the kidney or in the urinary tract. It is the third most common urological pathology, after infections and prostate problems, and it is estimated that 12% of men and 6% of women will experience an episode of kidney stones during their lifetime.
More than 2 million people in Spain have kidney stones, of which 60% of kidney stone cases are resolved by spontaneous expulsion, while 30% require treatment to eliminate them.
The prevalence in Spain is 5.07%, compared to 10-15% in Europe and 13% in the United States. This rate continues to show an increasing trend in recent years (1,092 patients per million population). This disease is more common in men than in women, with a ratio of 2-3:1, although the risk is equalizing, possibly due to lifestyle changes, such as a sedentary lifestyle, and the increasing percentage of the population with obesity.
Each year, 340,000 new cases are detected in Spain. Changes in dietary habits, such as abandoning the Mediterranean diet, being overweight, or diabetes, are some of the causes of the increase in kidney stone cases. The incidence rate increases after age 20 and is highest between 40 and 60 years in men, while in women it has a bimodal tendency, with a second peak after 60, coinciding with the loss of the effect of estrogens during menopause.
Even so, the incidence rate has stabilized in recent years but tends to increase, coinciding with a period of greater economic development and with the relationship between dietary habits, such as low fluid intake or excessive intake of proteins, salt, and oxalates.
The first episode of kidney stones usually appears between 30 and 50 years of age. Subsequently, the probability of recurrence is 30-50% in the following 5 years and 80% in the following 10 years. The percentage of cases increases to 55% with a family history of kidney stones and risk factors.
The most common types of kidney stones are calcium oxalate (80%), but they can be mixed (oxalate and phosphate) in 30% of cases, while struvite stones are more common in women.
This disease entails a high social and economic cost because it temporarily affects work capacity. At a healthcare level, it requires organization among professionals to guarantee the best advice on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
