RENAL STONE DISEASE IN OLDER ADULTS

The pathophysiology of stone disorder in older adults, as compared to their younger counterparts, has not been thoroughly investigated. This article examines the differences in serum and urine chemistries betwe en groups that are younger and older than 60 years of age. The princip al finding is that stone formation occurs at lower urinary supersatura tions in older patients, suggesting that other unexplored factors are significant contributors. The authors then review the possible effect of age on the morbidity of stone disease and the implications of stone disease for the development and management of osteoporosis.