Type of renal calculi: variation with age and sex.

The aim of this paper is to study the variations in the percentage of the different types of renal stones with age and sex. Renal calculi were classified according to their composition and structure. Stone formers were divided according to age and sex, and the percentage of each kind of calculi in the different considered age periods for men and women were determined. It was found that calcium oxalate dihydrate calculi decreased with age, but only in men. These calculi were also clearly predominant in men. Hydroxyapatite calculi decreased with age in both men and women, but they were predominant in women. Uric acid calculi increased with age in both men and women, but were predominant in men. Finally, it was found that calcium oxalate monohydrate unattached calculi increased with age in both men and women. As a main novelty, the study here presented demonstrates the importance of distinguishing between calcium oxalate monohydrate papillary stones and calcium oxalate monohydrate unattached stones, since the etiologic factors responsible for their origin must be clearly different.