Clinical and laboratory evaluation of renal stone patients.
The management of renal lithiasis is a life-long proposition for most patients. Stone diseases are difficult for both patients and physicians to monitor and treat appropriately. The long-term management of metabolically active patients requires close association with a physician who is prepared to monitor stone formation, appropriate risk factors, and the progress of those risk factors over an extended time. Although this is a large economic commitment, it has been calculated that failure to carry out this responsibility is an even larger economic burden for patients and society. With aggressive risk factor management and follow-up, 95% of patients can become metabolically inactive. The long-term management of these patients, still evolving, is going to continue to require some assessment of the presence or absence of stones. The analysis of risk factors and the assessment of therapeutic maneuvers should continue to improve. It is possible that some specific index of risk factors for these patients will become readily available. Unfortunately, the efficacy of the ones currently available have not been clearly established.
Wilson
D M
DM
Division of Nephrology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
D000086:Acetazolamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000502:physiology; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors
D000086:Acetazolamide