Prevalence of calcified upper urinary tract stone disease in a random population survey. Report of a combined study of general practitioners and hospital staff

Abstract

There are few randomised studies specifically designed to establish the prevalence of upper urinary tract stone disease. The present random study sampled a population of 7000 in the central belt of Scotland. Three thousand three hundred and ninety-eight subjects were X-rayed and possible calcified upper tract stones were further investigated, revealing a prevalence rate of 3.5% of the total surveyed population. Socio-economic characteristics of the population were determined, such as occupation, history of previous infection, stone disease and backache. Simple urine and blood analyses were undertaken. There was no difference in stone prevalence between males and females (1.03:1) as distinct from treated stone patients. There were no differences between the sexes with respect to family history of stone disease but females have a greater chance of having had previous urinary tract infection.