A comprehensive investigation of the prevalence and risk factors associated with renal calculi in Southern India: A prospective study

Purpose: To investigate the proportion, risk factors, and risk of recurrence of nephrolithiasis and to determine the type, size, location, and treatment patterns of kidney stones. Materials and methods: This single-centered prospective study comprised 300 patients with nephrolithiasis (age, 18-90 years) who were admitted to the Caritas Hospital in India between October 2022 and March 2023. A control group was included to determine the significance of dietary and lifestyle risk factors in nephrolithiasis. Patient demographics, clinical data, and therapeutic data were collected from the patients and their medical records. The results were statistically analyzed using the chi-square test and binary logistic regression. The recurrence of kidney stone calculator was used to predict the risk of recurrence. Results: The majority of the patients (76%) were males (median age, 52.44 +/- 14.33 years), and the risk of recurrence was 60%-90%. Alcohol consumption and obesity were significantly correlated with nephrolithiasis in the kidney stone groups compared with the control group (P < 0.00001; CI 95% [21-27]). Calcium-rich foods, a purine-containing diet, and caffeinated drinks were significant dietary risk factors for kidney stones (95% CI, P < 0.00001). Conclusion: Males and older people were more prone to nephrolithiasis in this study. The regular dietary intake of calcium, oxalate, uric acid, and caffeine-containing foods, alcohol consumption, obesity, and decreased water intake were significantly associated with a high risk of kidney stones. Nephrolithiasis may lead to complications such as chronic kidney damage and urinary tract infections.