ETHNIC AND GEOGRAPHIC DIVERSITY OF STONE DISEASE

Objectives. To ascertain diversity or similarity in stone prevention a nd problems among different countries around the world. Methods. Uroli thiasis research groups from 10 countries completed a questionnaire. R esults. Cost of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was consi derably greater than that of drugs in four countries, and equivalent i n remaining countries. Stone composition was similar among different c ountries. Certain urinary risk factors were associated with particular countries, probably from dietary indiscretions. ESWL was used in the majority of patients and open surgery in a minority of patients, excep t in one country. Medical diagnostic evaluation was used in the majori ty of patients except in one country. Drug treatment was nonselective, and provided to a minority of recurrent stone-formers. Conclusions. T here is considerable similarity in stone presentations and problems th roughout the world. The diversity is likely to be due to nutritional-e nvironmental and socio-political-economic factors. (C) 1997, Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.