Climate Change and Kidney Stones

 

 

 

The incidence and prevalence of nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) worldwide have increased. These differences are increasing across all factors pertaining to sex, ethnicity, and age. Recently, however, evidence has shown that climate change may play a role.

 

A group of researchers analyzed over 60,000 medical records of adults and children in five cities of varying climates from 2005 to 2011. As the daily temperatures in these cities increased by more than 10°C the presentation of kidney stones also increased (Tasian et al. 2014). These kidney stones were found to be calcium based, which are the most prevalent type in the United States. Patients who have calcium deposits in their thin loops of Henle or the collecting ducts of the nephron are shown to have an increased risk of these types of kidneys stones. When dehydration occurs, which is commonly seen when temperatures rise, high saturation of calcium and uric acid occurs. These patients will have low urine output and supersaturated urine (Han et al. 2015), promoting kidney stone formation.

 

There is one caveat, from the data analyzed the researchers found that the increased risk of kidney stones was increased and much more likely in those people who were predisposed to stone formation. As a precaution, for patients who are predisposed and live in climates with increased and dramatic temperature changes, hydration management can be encouraged. This will likely minimize their risk of the formation of stones. 

 

Collectively, while limited research has been conducted linking this correlation it does bring up the significant potential health risk that climate change can pose. Something we all can do our part in and take more seriously.

 

 

Han, H., Segal, A. M., Seifter, J. L., & Dwyer, J. T. (2015). Nutritional Management of Kidney Stones (Nephrolithiasis). Clinical nutrition research, 4(3), 137–152. https://doi.org/10.7762/cnr.2015.4.3.137

Tasian, G. E., Pulido, J. E., Gasparrini, A., Saigal, C. S., Horton, B. P., Landis, J. R., . . . Keren, R. (2014). Daily Mean Temperature and Clinical Kidney Stone Presentation in Five U.S. Metropolitan Areas: A Time-Series Analysis. Environmental Health Perspectives, 122(10), 1081-1087. doi:10.1289/ehp.1307703