Nephrolithiasis is associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease

Background: Nephrolithiasis has been associated with hypertension, obesity and diabetes Mellitus. The prevalence of adverse cardiovascular outcomes among kidney stone formers (KSF) is unknown. Methods: We examined the IV Portuguese National Health Survey for documenting possible associations between nephrolithiasis, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and obesity in the Portuguese adult population. Results: We obtained 23,349 questionnaires from individuals with ≥ 15 year-old. The prevalence of kidney stone disease was 7.3%. The prevalence of hypertension was higher among KSF when compared with the general population (50.4% vs. 30.2%; p < 0,001). Age and obesity significantly increase the risk for nephrolithiasis. After adjusting for age and body mass index, KSF have higher prevalence of hypertension (odds-ratio: 1.841; 95% CI: 1.651 – 2.053), diabetes Mellitus (odds-ratio: 1.475; 95% CI: 1.283 – 1.696; p < 0.001), myocardial infarction (odds-ratio: 1.338; 95% CI: 1.003 – 1.786; p < 0.05), and stroke (odds-ratio: 1.330; 95% CI: 1.015 – 1.743; p < 0.05) as compared with non-stone formers. Conclusions: Kidney stone disease is associated with a higher prevalence of chronic diseases and adverse cardiovascular outcomes when compared with the general population