Frequency of urolithiasis in patients from Southern Governorates in Yemen: Ultrasonographic findings

ABSTRACT

Urolithiasis is the third most common pathological disease affecting the urinary tracts. Although epidemiological studies about this condition are lacking in our country, the work and expertise of physicians indicate that the occurrence of urolithiasis is extremely high. We performed a prospective study of the frequency of urolithiasis in a sample of 480 patients, including males and females of all ages, who underwent ultrasound examinations in our private clinic in Aden. 136 patients [28.3%] were affected with urolithiasis. The rate was higher in males [71.3%] than in females [28.7%], with a male to female ratio of 2.51. The frequency of urolithiasis was high on average [67.6%] among patients in the age groups 21-50 years old, declined among patients over 51 years of age, and was markedly low among patients more than 70 years of age. Fourteen [10.3%] cases of urolithiasis were found in patients at the age group urolithiasis were located in the kidney, 11.8% in the ureter, and 2.2% in the urinary bladder. The concomitant kidney/ureter was in 11% and kidney/ prostate stones in 0.7% of the cases. The most multiple stones [11%] was presented in males. The conclusion of the study provides a quantitative estimate of the frequency of urolithiasis among southern Yemeni patients, and more detailed epidemiological studies are needed to enlighten the etiological factors of stone formation and its geographical variations and to determine the incidence and prevalence of this health problem: