Metabolic response to refined carbohydrates in idiopathic urolithiasis

The dietary habits of 139 stone patients and 20 control subjects were assessed to investigate the differential features, if any, of the eating pattern between the two groups. There was no significant difference between stone formers and controls, although the data for animal protein was inadequate for statistical analysis. In a separate study, 39 idiopathic calcium stone formers and 18 control subjects were studied by measuring the blood glucose, plasma insulin and glucagon levels following oral glucose. The insulin response was abnormal in 70% of the patients. Increased urinary risk factors for calcium oxalate oversaturation were significantly associated with patients who exhibited an abnormal insulin response.