Epidemiology and natural history of nephrolithiasis

The epidemiology and natural history of nephrolithiasis comprise its incidence and prevalence; role of age, gender, and race; risk factors, comorbidities, and course. As such, epidemiology verges into clinical features, pathogenesis, treatment, and prognosis. Although it is well known that associations derived from epidemiological studies do not prove causal relationships, lessons from epidemiology and natural history have been readily applied to pathogenesis and treatment. Conversely, knowledge derived from experiment and interventional trials has furnished models for understanding epidemiological data. Hence, it is not easy to divide epidemiology from other aspects of nephrolithiasis. While my primary emphasis in this review will be on epidemiological studies, I will consider other kinds of studies that help us to understand the epidemiology and natural history of nephrolithiasis. © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2011.