Ethnic diversity and urolithiasis: a single-center experience

Area of Science:

• Nephrology
• Urology
• Public Health

Background:

• Urolithiasis prevalence and risk factors differ globally, with limited data on ethnic variations within populations.
• Understanding these variations is crucial for targeted public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate kidney stone (KS) prevalence across different ethnicities in Qatar.
• To identify risk factors associated with KS formation in a diverse population.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cross-sectional study of Qatari residents at Al-Khor Hospital (2014-2019).
• Inclusion criteria: adult permanent residents with KSs or general check-ups with available data.
• Statistical analysis to compare KS prevalence among ethnicities and identify risk factors.

Main Results:

• Significant ethnic differences in KS prevalence observed (p < 0.001).
• Egyptians (78.5%) and Qataris (65.0%) showed the highest prevalence.
• Hypertension, diabetes, prior renal surgery, positive family history, smoking, poor diet, alcohol, and sun exposure were significant risk factors.

Conclusions:

• Urolithiasis in Qatar is multifactorial, with significant ethnic variations.
• Qatari natives are the second most affected ethnic group, highlighting the need for ethnicity-specific preventative strategies.