People with kidney stones more likely to need dialysis or transplant later in life

University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & DentistrySep 7 2012

People who have had kidney stones are twice as likely to need dialysis or a kidney transplant later in life, demonstrates recently published findings by medical researchers at the University of Alberta. Their article was recently published in the British Medical Journal.

Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry researchers Todd Alexander and Marcello Tonelli tracked data of more than three million Albertans over an 11-year period from 1997 to 2009. They discovered those with a history of kidney stones were twice as likely to have serious kidney problems later in life when compared to people who had never suffered from kidney stones. And women under the age of 50 who had a history of kidney stones were four times as likely to later develop kidney failure. Although the actual number of those who developed kidney failure was small, the link to having a history of kidney stones was noteworthy.

"I think what these results tell me, is that we should be screening those with a history of kidney stones for risk factors for the development of kidney disease," says Alexander, the study's first author and a practising pediatric nephrologist.

"I am not surprised by these findings because when you are passing a stone through a kidney, there is definitely the potential for permanent damage."

Based on their findings, between five and seven per cent of Albertans will develop a kidney stone in their lifetime, says Alexander. The data is more alarming in the United States where 10 to 11 per cent of the population develops kidney stones. Half of those who get kidney stones will have a reoccurrence - anywhere from one to several more episodes.

"It's important to note that the vast majority of people with kidney stones won't develop permanent kidney damage," adds Tonelli. "But a few will, and that's why it's important for people with stones to get proper follow-up care - to reduce their risk of another stone, and to detect kidney damage if it has occurred."

People could try to decrease the likelihood of the development of kidney stones by decreasing their sodium intake, drinking more water and, if needed, taking certain medication. It has been previously observed that those who develop kidney stones have kidneys that don't function at optimal levels, which is a factor in the whole issue.

Alexander is a researcher in the Department of Physiology and the Department of Pediatrics, while Tonelli holds a Canada Research Chair in the Department of Medicine's Division of Nephrology.

The primary funders of the research were: The Kidney Foundation of Canada, Alberta Innovates - Health Solutions, the University Hospital Foundation, and the KRESCENT program (a training and support program for kidney research scientists).

"We are proud to support outstanding and innovative research that helps us to improve our understanding of the possible risk factors for developing kidney failure," said Wim Wolfs, National Director of Research of The Kidney Foundation of Canada.

Other funding organizations were equally pleased with the research findings.

"We are deeply grateful for the tremendous community support that allows the University Hospital Foundation to support innovative research; to provide the seed funding required to pursue new and emerging fields of study," says Joyce Mallman Law, President of the University Hospital Foundation. "Todd Alexander and Marcello Tonelli's research is a tremendous example of the power of philanthropy to change and save lives by building new knowledge to treat and prevent disease."