VESICAL STONES IN ASIR REGION - COMPARISON OF SAUDI WITH NON-SAUDI PATIENTS

Objective: To compare the pattern of vesical stones in Saudi and non-S audi patients and evaluate the need for routine thorough investigation s for underlying urinary diseases. Design: A retrospective study invol ving 96 consecutive patients with vesical stones. Settings: Asir Centr al Hospital (A.C.H.) and Armed Forces Hospital, Southern Region (AFHSR ) Patients and methods: Patients were divided into two groups; Saudis comprising 56 patients and non-Saudis consisting of 40 patients. Both groups were compared to highlight age and sex distribution clinical fe atures and etiological differences. Results: There were a total of 93 males and 3 females; all of whom were elderly Saudis with gynecologica l problems. Age distribution was significantly different (p<0.05) with a Saudi peak above 50 years and a non-Saudi peak at middle age (21-30 years). Three non-Saudi children were encountered whereas childhood v esical stones were non-existent in Saudis. Only 10% of the stones in b oth groups were idiopathic. In the remaining 90% several underlying di seases; the distribution of which was significantly different (p<0.05) in both groups; could be identified. Saudi stones were mainly associa ted with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) whereas non-Saudi stones w ere either migratory or associated with bilharziasis. Presentation wit h acute retention of urine was significantly commoner in non-Saudi pat ients (33% v. 13%) in view of urethal impaction of the more frequent s mall migratory stones. Saudi patients underwent significantly more ope n surgery for stone removal (p<0.05) but urinary infection was similar in both groups. Conclusion: Since only 10% of the stones were idiopat hic and almost 90% were associated with another pathology, a thorough investigation of the urinary tract to look for underlying disease is m andatory in both nationality categories.