DIETARY AND BEHAVIORAL RISK-FACTORS FOR UROLITHIASIS - POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS FOR PREVENTION

Few studies have examined urolithiasis in primary care populations, an d limited data are available on non-drug interventions to reduce the r isk for urinary calculi. Therefore, we conducted a case control study of patients enrolled in a large prepaid health maintenance organizatio n. The 240 study cases were men experiencing initial episodes of uroli thiasis, ascertained by reviewing radiology procedure logs and medical records. The 392 controls were age-matched men with no history of uro lithiasis chosen from a list of randomly selected men. Data were colle cted using standardized telephone interviews. Odds ratios were calcula ted for potential risk factors. In logistic regression analyses the ri sk for urinary tract calculi was related to both consumption variables , such as a lowfat or weight reduction diet (adjusted odds ratio, 0.41 ; P < 0.0005) and beer drinking (adjusted odds ratio, 0.41; P < 0.0001 ), and to demographic variables, such as African-American ethnicity (a djusted odds ratio, 0.29; P = 0.03) and a positive family history (adj usted odds ratio, 2.22; P < 0.001). These findings suggest the need to evaluate appropriate behavioral interventions to reduce the morbidity associated with urolithiasis. Prospective studies should evaluate the possibilities that beer drinking, even in modest amounts, and a low-f at or weight reduction diet are associated with substantial reductions in risk. (C) 1996 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.