Family history and age at the onset of upper urinary tract calculi.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of family history on the age of urinary calculus formation and its relation with characteristics of the calculi and patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study in Tabriz, a total of 210 patients with upper urinary tract calculi were evaluated. Their demographics and clinical characteristics and detailed information on their family history were recorded. RESULTS: Of the patients, 28.6% had a positive family history for urinary calculi. Siblings were the majority of the affected family members (71.1%). The rate of a positive family history was slightly higher in women than in men (30.0% versus 28.1%; P = .20). The mean age at the disease onset of the men with and without a positive family history was 37.2 years versus 39.3 years, respectively (P = .20). Such a difference was not detected in the female patients, either (P = .63). In general, the calculi were more detected on the left renal unit, but more prevalent on the right side in patients with a positive family history (P = .008). No relation was found between the number and size of the calculi and the family history. CONCLUSION: About one-third of the patients with urinary calculi had a positive family history too. Men with affected family members are slightly more susceptible to the disease at younger ages. There might be differences in the side of the calculi and family members with a history of disease that warrants further studies.

Prevalence of infertility in Tabriz in 2004.

INTRODUCTION: Our aim was to determine the prevalence of primary and secondary infertility in Tabriz population and to compare the marriage age between infertile and fertile groups. We also evaluated the rate of seeking help for treatment of infertility among the patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a survey, we evaluated the prevalence of infertility in Tabriz in 2004 using cluster random sampling. Tabriz was divided into 360 zones and from each zone, 10 couples were selected. Six interviewers filled out the questionnaires by direct reference to interviewees' homes. Overall, 3600 couples were evaluated for infertility. RESULTS: Of 3600 couples, 3183 were married for more than a year and answered the questions appropriately. Prevalence of infertility was 3.27% (2.04% as primary and 1.23% as secondary infertility). Among couples whose wives were in their reproductive age (15 to 49 years), the overall prevalence of infertility was 3.35% (2.05% as primary and 1.30% as secondary). Mean age of women at marriage was significantly higher in couples with primary infertility (20.87 +/- 5.4 versus 18.75 +/- 4.04; P < .001). Treatment seeking was 79.6% and 67.6% among patients with primary and secondary infertility, respectively. In general, 75% of the patients had referred to medical centers. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of primary infertility was almost the same as other Asian countries, but the prevalence of secondary infertility was lower than other countries. A higher marriage age was accompanied with a significant decrease in fertility of the couple. Primary infertile patients had referred to medical center slightly more often than secondary infertile patients.