URINARY STONE DISEASE IN TURKEY - AN UPDATED EPIDEMIOLOGIC-STUDY

In a nationwide survey conducted in 14 provinces on 1,500 individuals, an overall prevalence of 14.8% and an incidence of 2.2% for the year 1989 are found for urinary stone disease in Turkey. The male:female ratio was 1.5:1. The prevalence showed a geographical distribution with higher figures in southern and south-eastern parts of the country. Low socioeconomic and educational status were associated with a higher prevalence rate, while there was no significant difference between people living in rural areas or in cities. Similarly, occupation had no significant impact on the incidence of urinary stone disease. Urolithiasis is a severe problem in Turkey and more detailed epidemiological studies are needed to enlighten the pathogenetic factors of stone formation and its geographical variations.