Clinical features, Related Problems and Health Seeking Behaviour Among Clients with Nephrolithiasis and Urolithiasis in a Tertiary care Hospital

Abstract

Renal stone is a common problem worldwide with its increasing prevalence. They are imposing a significant economic burden for nations. Lifestyle and environmental factors contribute significantly in their formation. Presentation of renal colic is common and therefore treatment is not delayed. However, in absence of any preventive measure >50% renal stone may reoccur. Renal stone may reoccur at any age, the peak incidence is reported between 20–49 years. Males are often more affected than females. In developing countries bladder calculi are more common than upper urinary tract calculi; the opposite is true in developed countries. It is estimated that incidence of renal stone may increase from 45% to 56% by 2050 as a result of global warming. The current study was conducted to assess the clinical features, associated health problems and health seeking behaviour among the clients with nephrolithiasis and urolithiasis attending the nephrology and urology outpatient department (OPD), Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. Material and Method: A retrospective descriptive approach was employed on 201 clients who were enrolled using total enumeration sampling technique. A self-structured interview schedule was used. The data were encoded and analyzed using SPSS 20.0. 

Result: The mean age of study subjects was 41.55±13.58 years ranged between 30–60 years. More than half (59.7%) subjects were male. The study revealed that the presenting feature of stone was pain in more than 88.1% study subjects. Dietary habits of subjects depicted that 31.8% consumed milk and milk products 5–6 times/week. About 52.2% subjects had frequency and urgency as an important risk factor for stone. In 59% subjects, the associated health problem was high blood pressure. Nearly half (49.3%) subjects used homeopathic therapy as a health seeking behaviour. Conclusion: It can be concluded from the present study that nephrolithiasis and urolithiasis is common among male population and those were in the upper lower class. Pain was the most common feature and comorbidities associated with renal stone disease (RSD) were hydronephrosis and hypertension. Patient gave more emphasis to homeopathic therapy.

Keywords: Clinical features, health seeking behaviour, renal stone disease (RSD), related health problem