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Elevated blood pressure and positive history of kidney stones: results from a population-based study
1Institute of Internal Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, 2nd Medical School, University of Naples, Italy.
Insights
Hypertension is linked to a higher prevalence of urinary stone disease. This population study found over 50% more stone disease cases in hypertensive individuals, regardless of treatment.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Mild hypercalciuria is associated with hypertension.
- The link between hypertension and urinary stone disease prevalence is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of urinary stone disease in hypertensive individuals.
- To determine if hypertension increases the risk of developing urinary stones.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cross-sectional data from the Gubbio Study, a population-based survey.
- Involved 5376 subjects with an 84% response rate.
- Hypertension defined by diastolic pressure quintiles and/or antihypertensive treatment.
Main Results:
- A history of urinary stones was over 50% more prevalent in hypertensive subjects (P < 0.01).
- This increased prevalence was observed in both treated and untreated hypertensive individuals.
- No hypercalcemia or renal failure was noted in subjects with a history of urinary stones.
Conclusions:
- Hypertension is associated with a significantly increased prevalence of urinary stone disease.
- The findings suggest a potential link between hypertension and stone formation, independent of hypercalciuria or renal dysfunction.
Abstract:
Mild hypercalciuria has been observed in hypertension, but it is not yet established whether the prevalence of urinary stone disease is increased as well. Data from the cross-sectional phase of the Gubbio Study--a population-based survey on hypertension involving 5376 subjects (84% response rate)--have been analysed to address this issue, defining as hypertensive those subjects with diastolic pressure falling within the fifth quintile for each sex- and age-specific category, and/or under regular antihypertensive treatment. The prevalence of a positive history for urinary stone (radiographic and/or surgical evidence, and/or stone excretion) was increased by over 50% (P less than 0.01) in treated and untreated hypertensives. None of the 136 subjects with a positive urinary stone history were hypercalcaemic and none had renal failure.