title: Recurrence of nephrolithiasis. A six-year prospective study.
abstract: Retrospective studies of nephrolithiasis tend to overestimate the severity of the disease and mistakenly ascribe benefits to treatment regimens. The results of a three-year study of recurrent nephrolithiasis in three patient groups adhering to a calcium-restricted diet who were treated with phosphate therapy, placebo or diet alone are re-examined at the close of an additional three-year follow-up period. Nearly half the subjects in all groups remained free of stone for the six-year period. A reduction in the need for lithotomies occurred in all groups. The absence of renal calcification at entry into the study as well as increasing age were associated with a marked reduction in stone passage. Drug therapy should probably be avoided in older patients as well as in those who are free of renal calcifications.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002136:Calcium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010710:Phosphates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010919:Placebos; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D002136:Calcium, Dietary; D010710:Phosphates; D010919:Placebos