Adult urolithiasis in Western Algeria: a study of 1104 cases.

Introduction: Urolithiasis is a health problem that is increasing all over the world as in Algeria, but with scarce local data.

Aim: To determine, for the first time, the epidemiological characteristics of urolithiasis in western Algeria.

Methods: We determined the socio-demographic parameters, the clinical data, and those related to stones of 1104 adult stone formers (2012-2019).

Results: We confirmed the higher prevalence of urolithiasis among males (sex-ratio=1.9). Stone formers were overweight or obese in 57.2% of cases, 56.7% were living in urban areas and 53.1% had a poor educational level. The rate of consanguinity was 25% and 33.9% had a family history. Stone recurrence was 51.1% and 89% of stones were located in the upper urinary tract. Spontaneous expulsion was the most frequent way of elimination (51.9%), open surgery was used in 19.7%, while 15.5% resorted to endourology or extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. The predominant component of stones was calcium oxalate (75%), followed by calcium phosphates (8.9%) and uric acid (10.2%). Struvite (urinary infection indices) was in 3.4% of stones but detected in 16.9% and cystine was found in 1%. Males had a higher educational level, a higher consanguinity rate, and more recurrences than females.

Conclusion: The epidemiologic profile coming out of this study is close to those described in Maghreb and in industrialized countries. Our data showed that there is an improvement of the socio-economical level, but modern techniques of stone removal should be used more, as well as change in lifestyle.