Clinical characteristics of surgically managed patients with asymptomatic renal stones: Comparison of patients with symptomatic renal stones

• Published in: Investigative and clinical urology 2023-03, Vol.64 (2), p.161-167
• Main Authors: Park, Dong Jin, Kim, Bum Soo, Kwon, Soon Oh, Chung, Jae-Wook, Ha, Yun-Sok, Choi, Seock Hwan, Kim, Hyun Tae, Yoo, Eun Sang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: asymptomatic diseases; Body Mass Index; Humans; kidney calculi; Kidney Calculi - diagnostic imaging; Kidney Calculi - surgery; Nephrolithotomy, Percutaneous - adverse effects; Operative Time; Original; Retrospective Studies
• ISSN: 2466-0493; 2466-054X
• DOI: 10.4111/icu.20220271

This study aimed to compare the characteristics of asymptomatic and symptomatic nephrolithiasis in patients who underwent surgical treatment for kidney stones. Between 2015 and 2019, 245 patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy or retrograde intrarenal surgery for kidney stones were included. The patients were divided into asymptomatic (n=124) and symptomatic (n=121) groups. All patients underwent blood and urine tests, preoperative non-contrast computed tomography, and postoperative stone composition analysis. We retrospectively analyzed and compared the characteristics of the patients and stones, operation time, stone-free rate, and postoperative complications between the two groups. In the asymptomatic group, mean body mass index (BMI) was significantly higher (25.7±3.8 kg/m² vs. 24.3±2.8 kg/m², p=0.002) and urine pH was significantly lower (5.6±0.9 vs. 5.9±0.9, p=0.013). The ratio of calcium oxalate dihydrate stones was significantly higher in the symptomatic group (5.3% vs. 15.5%, p=0.023). No significant differences were observed in stone characteristics, postoperative outcomes, or complications. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis for predicting variables for asymptomatic renal stones, BMI (odds ratio [OR], 1.144; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.038-1.260; p=0.007), and urine pH (OR, 0.608; 95% CI, 0.407-0.910; p=0.016) were independent predictive variables for asymptomatic renal stones. This study demonstrated that thorough medical check-ups are needed for the early detection of renal stones in individuals with a high BMI or low urine pH.