A 3-Year Retrospective Study on the Incidence and Pattern of Kidney Stones: A Single Center Experience

Abstract

Background: Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis) are a common urological condition causing significant morbidity worldwide. The prevalence and patterns of kidney stone occurrence are influenced by demographic and clinical factors, yet data on their distribution in specific populations, such as in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, remain limited. Aims: This study aimed to analyse the demographic and clinical patterns of kidney stone occurrence among patients at SaveALife Mission Hospital, Port Harcourt, over a three-year period. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted by reviewing the medical records of 384 patients diagnosed with kidney stones between January 2021 and December 2023. Data on age, sex, number of stones, and side of occurrence were extracted from clinical and imaging records, including ultrasonography and computed tomography scans. Data were anonymised and analysed using chi-square tests to assess associations between sex, age, and stone characteristics. Results: Females accounted for 62% of cases, while males comprised 38%. Most females presented with two stones, whereas most males had a single stone. Right-sided stones were the most prevalent (41%), followed by left-sided (35%) and bilateral stones (24%). The age group        20–39 years showed the highest prevalence (44%), with the lowest in children ≤12 years (2%). Chi-square analyses revealed no statistically significant associations between sex and number of stones (χ² = 2.99, p > 0.05), sex and side of stones (χ² = 2.64, p > 0.05), age group and number of stones (χ² = 6.16, p > 0.05), or age group and side of stones (χ² = 3.06, p > 0.05). Conclusion: The study revealed that kidney stones were more prevalent in females (62%) than in males (38%), with females more frequently presenting with multiple stones, whereas males predominantly had a single stone. While females and young adults exhibited higher rates of kidney stones, the distribution by number and side was independent of sex and age. These findings highlight the need to explore additional clinical and environmental factors influencing kidney stone development in this population.