Medical treatment of uric acid urolithiasis

The prevalence of uric kidney stone increases regularly, due to its high correlation with obesity, HTA, metabolic syndrome, diabetes and elderly age. The surgical treatment of urolithiasis may not be always easy, and the lithotripsy has a very low efficiency. So, an appropriate medical prescription, with a good patient observance, is very effective regarding kidney stone dissolution as well as for recurrence prevention. The urinary pH is acidic, which is the main factor of lithogenesis. It must be corrected by the alkalization of the urines. The potassium citrate treatment is very efficient, and has low side effects. It must be prescribed diluted in 1.5 L of water, to be effective all over the day and to avoid gastro-intestinal disorders. (C) 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.