Health related quality of life differs between male and female stone formers

Chronic urolithiasis often results in long-term health complications, frequent clinic visits, multiple interventions and disruptions to patients' lives. While the most valued treatment end point has been stone-free status, patient health related quality of life should also be considered. Little is known about health related quality of life in stone formers. We characterized the health related quality of life of stone formers at our institution.

After institutional review board approval all adult stone formers treated at our Metabolic Stone Clinic from 1995 to 2006 were invited to participate. Of these patients 189 (36%) completed the SF-36v2 Health Survey, a validated, 36-item, generic health and well-being questionnaire addressing physical, social and emotional domains. Comparisons of scores were made with those of U.S. norms and within-sample for demographic and clinical variables. Statistical analyses included independent sample t tests and ANOVA.

Compared to healthy adults, stone formers reported lower health related quality of life for general health (64.9 +/- 1.6) and bodily pain (69.4 +/- 1.6), and women reported greater impairment (61.4 +/- 2.4 and 66.5 +/- 2.4, respectively). Comorbidities such as depression, diabetes, hypertension and overweight/obesity contributed to lower scores for many health domains.

The health related quality of life of stone formers, especially women, is compromised compared to U.S. norms. Women stone formers scored lower than men for physical and mental health. Clinicians should be aware of the risk of impaired health related quality of life in stone formers. A new and promising end point in the management of urolithiasis is improvement of health related quality of life. Studies that identify treatment strategies that maintain or improve health related quality of life for individual patients are warranted.