Association Between Kidney Stone History and Cardiovascular Event Risk in US Adults

Urology. 2024 Dec:194:121-126. doi: 10.1016/j.urology.2024.08.062. Epub 2024 Aug 31.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the association between kidney stone history and predicted 10-year risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) events in a nationally representative US adult sample without existing CVD.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of the 2017-2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey that included a nationally representative sample of 3842 adults aged 40-79 free from CVD. Kidney stone history was assessed through self-reporting. The 10-year risk of an atherosclerotic CVD event was predicted using the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) Pooled Cohort Equations.

Results: The weighted prevalence of kidney stones was 12.2% (95% CI: 10.5% to 14.1%). In unadjusted analysis, the odds of borderline or higher (≥5%) atherosclerotic CVD risk were higher in stone formers (odds ratio=1.56; 95% CI 1.01-2.40; P = .046). This association persisted after adjustment for demographics and clinical covariates (adjusted odds ratio=1.57; 95% CI=1.02 to 2.43; P = .04). A significant interaction by biological sex was identified (P = .002), with excess risk conferred by kidney stones in males but not females.

Conclusion: Kidney stone history was independently associated with increased 10-year predicted atherosclerotic CVD event risk, with excess risk observed among males but not females. Intensified CVD screening may be warranted among stone formers given their increased cardiovascular risk.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Atherosclerosis / complications
  • Atherosclerosis / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kidney Calculi* / complications
  • Kidney Calculi* / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nutrition Surveys
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • United States / epidemiology