[Prevalence of urolithiasis in the 40 to 65 year old Spanish population: The PreLiRenE study]

Urolithiasis is a common urologic condition with increasing incidence in the population worldwide. In Andalusia (Spain), the PreLiRenA study showed a high prevalence (16.4%; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 14.8-17.8) of this condition in population aged between 40 and 65 years. The interesting results reported in that study encouraged us to further investigate the magnitude of this condition at a national level. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of urolithiasis in the Spanish population aged between 40 and 65 years.

This is an observational, cross-sectional, prevalence, stratified sampling study by Spanish region, sex and age. A total of 2,444 telephone interviews were conducted using a questionnaire that covered several sociodemographic and clinical variables. Bivariate, descriptive statistical study was performed. The prevalence ratio (PR) with the 95% CI was calculated.

Of the 2,444 subjects interviewed, 51.2% (n=1,251) were women. The prevalence and incidence of urolithiasis were 14.6% (95% CI 13.1-15.9) and 2.9% (95% CI 2.2-3.6), respectively. Significant differences were found by age, with a higher prevalence in 46-50 years (PR 1.58; 95% CI 1.12-2.21; P<.001) and 61-65 years (PR 1.47; 95% CI 1.02-2.13), and upper-class subjects (PR 1.75; 95% CI 1.07-2.86; P<.024). Of respondents, 52.8% had experienced more than one episode of urolithiasis. A total of 46.9% passed the calculus spontaneously, and 51.1% were diagnosed in the Emergency Unit.

The prevalence of urolithiasis in the Spanish population aged between 40 and 65 years is high; especially among upper-class subjects and in middle-aged. A high recurrence rate is also observed.