Prevalence of kidney stones in the USA: The National Health and Nutrition Evaluation Survey

Abstract

Objective: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) has demonstrated an upward trend in prevalence of kidney stones (KSs) in the past 30 years. We aim to report the current prevalence of KSs. Methods: Research was based upon a cross-sectional analysis of response to the 2007–2014 NHANES. The prevalence of self-reported KS history was calculated using weights and design factors reported by NHANES. Four cycles of NHANES data were analyzed separately (2007–2014), and KS-prevalence trends in adult individuals for different age groups were compared. Analysis was performed using SAS ver.9.4. Results: The prevalence of KSs was 10.1% for the last 2013–2014 NHANES cycle. The highest prevalence of KSs was observed in males older than 60 years, at 17.8%, followed by males 40–59 years old at 12.6%. This trend changes in the 20–39-year-old age group, wherein females had a higher prevalence than males—7.5% for females compared to 4.5% in males. Females in the study showed a steady increase in KSs prevalence through the study cycles: 6.6% in 2007 to 9.5% in 2013 ( p < 0.05). The increase in females ages 20 to 39, almost doubled in prevalence: 3.9 to 7.5%, from 2007 to 2013 ( p < 0.05). Females older than 60 years of age have remained stable, with prevalence of 8.9% in 2007 to 9.8% in 2013. Males showed a slight decrease in prevalence from 2007 to 2014, from 12.7% in 2007 to 11.4% in 2014. Prevalence in males and females older than 60 years old were relatively stable. Conclusions: Prevalence of KSs has remained stable in males and has increased in females. Females of child-bearing age showed the most significant increase. For this specific group, there has been a steady increase in the last seven years. Level of evidence: IV