Adequate Dietary Intake and Nutritional Status in Patients With Nephrolithiasis: New Targets and Objectives

Objectives Modifiable risk factors for kidney stones, such as diet and nutritional status, are targets in the treatment and prevention of nephrolithiasis. The aim of the present study was to assess the nutritional state and energy and nutrient adequacy of patients with nephrolithiasis via anthropometric evaluation, dietary inquiry, and urine biochemistry. Design The present observational cross-sectional study. Setting An outpatient, nephrolithiasis clinic of a tertiary care, university hospital. Subjects A total of 31 patients with nephrolithiasis and 25 controls were assessed. Interventions All patients were subjected to nutritional evaluation, including dietary inquiry and chemical tests of blood and 24-hour urine samples. Main Outcome Measure Nutritional state and nutrient ingestion adequacy. Results The group of patients with nephrolithiasis exhibited high body mass index, abdominal circumference, and body fat percentage values. The protein, sodium, calcium, potassium, and oxalate intakes differed significantly from the recommended values in both the nephrolithiasis and control groups. The nephrolithiasis and control groups differed only in terms of oxalate intake (159 ± 119.27 vs. 112 ± 47.9, respectively, P  = .042). Regarding urine biochemistry, 30% of the patients with nephrolithiasis exhibited hypercalciuria, versus 12% of the control group. Conclusions The prevalence of individuals with overweight/obesity was high in both the nephrolithiasis and control groups. This finding indicates that in addition to orientation regarding nonlithogenic dietary habits, continuous education by a multidisciplinary staff must also address the prevention and treatment of obesity.