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Cholelithiasis and the risk of nephrolithiasis
Eric N Taylor1, Andrew T Chan, Edward L Giovannucci
1Channing Laboratory, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 04102, USA. entaylor@partners.org
The Journal of Urology
|September 28, 2011
Summary
Gallstones and kidney stones are independently associated in large population studies. This suggests shared risk factors may contribute to the development of both conditions.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Gastroenterology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Existing data on the relationship between gallstones and kidney stones are limited.
- Understanding this association is crucial for public health and clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if symptomatic gallstones and symptomatic kidney stone disease are independently associated.
- To investigate the bidirectional relationship between gallstones and kidney stones.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional and prospective analyses were conducted using data from the Nurses' Health Studies I and II and the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study.
- Over 240,000 participants were followed for 14 to 24 years.
- Regression models adjusted for potential confounders including age, body size, thiazide use, and diet.
Main Results:
- Individuals with a history of gallstones had a significantly higher odds of a kidney stone history at baseline (ORs ranging from 1.61 to 1.85).
- Prospectively, gallstone history was associated with an increased risk of incident kidney stones (RRs ranging from 1.26 to 1.32).
- Conversely, kidney stone history was associated with an increased risk of incident gallstones (RRs ranging from 1.17 to 1.51).
Conclusions:
- Gallstones and kidney stones are independently associated.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the shared underlying mechanisms connecting these two conditions.
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