Abstract:
Introduction: Recent studies have reported an increasing occurrence of urolithiasis worldwide.
However, studies that evaluate the occurrence of stone diseases in Ethiopia are scarce.
Objective: This study was intended to determine trends in the occurrence of urolithiasis at the St.
Paul’s Referral Hospital during the last 13 years, and its associated comorbidities.
Methods: A total of 32,370 patients who underwent surgical treatment was included in the study.
Thirteen years retrospective data were retrieved from medical records (registry books and
electronic databases) at St. Paul's Tertiary Referral Hospital from September 2005 to 2017. Cases
with open surgical treatments related to urolithiasis were identified through a review of patient
medical records. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and using Graph Pad Prism 6
Software.
Results: Among 32,370 surgically treated patients referred from all over the country, 2.3%(757)
urolithiasis cases were determined in the last 13 years. The mean (SD) age at which the stones
treated was 42.5(±23.7) years. The occurrence of stone diseases was found to be higher in males
(68.2%) than females (31.8%). Nearly one quarter (22.2%) of the cases with urolithiasis occurred
in the age group 30 and 39 years. Urolithiasis increased in men and declined in women as age
increased. In nearly one-half (46.5%) of the patients the stones were located in the kidneys, with
a higher proportion in the left kidney. Stone surgeries in recurrent stone formers constituted
1.32%.
The most common co-morbidity associated with urolithiasis was benign prostatic hyperplasia,
and reduced urinary output complications.
Conclusion: The occurrence of cases with urolithiasis increased over the 13- year period at the
referral hospital in this study. This finding will raise awareness of physicians, researchers and
policy makers for appropriate actions.
