Dietary changes and medications could help prevent recurrent kidney stones

        

A systematic review of 31 studies found that diet changes like increasing fluid intake and following a diet low in salt and protein may help prevent recurrent nephrolithiasis, or kidney stones. In addition, several medications, including thiazide diuretics, alkali therapy, and allopurinol, may also be helpful. Evidence was unavailable regarding the usefulness of surveillance imaging.  The findings are published in Annals of Internal Medicine. 

 

Researchers from RTI-University of North Carolina Evidence-Based Practice Center aimed to evaluate the available evidence about the benefits and harms of diet, pharmacologic therapy, and surveillance imaging to prevent recurrent kidney stones. They identified and reviewed 31 clinical studies involving nonpregnant adults and a small number of children. They found that increased water intake; diets with normal to high calcium but low sodium and animal protein; and certain medications like thiazides, alkali therapy, and allopurinol may reduce stone recurrence in adults with calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate stones, although evidence was generally limited. No studies evaluated imaging as a prevention tool, and data on children were scarce. Overall, the review concludes that while several approaches may provide at least a small benefit, more research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of some interventions and clarify potential harms.