The Effect of Sociodemographic Characteristics and Drinking Water Preference on Stone Formation in The Renal System

Abstract

Objective: Water for human consumption is water that is used for all kinds of human needs in its original form or after processing. In this study, it was planned to examine the effect of sociodemographic characteristics and drinking water preferences of individuals on kidney stone formation.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 237 patients aged 18-55 years who applied to Karabük Training and Research Hospital Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic in 2020 were included. Individuals who had undergone renal ultrasonography (USG) for any reason in the last six months were included in the study. Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HT), acute and chronic renal failure (AKI and CRF) were excluded. Sociodemographic characteristics of the participants such as age, gender, occupation, the type of drinking water they used, the average amount of water consumed per day, the criteria affecting the water preference of those using ready-to-drink water and ultrasonography results were recorded. Mann-Whitney U test was used for two-group comparisons and Kruskall-Wallis H test was used for comparisons with three or more groups. The relationship between categorical variables was analyzed by Chi-Square analysis.

Results: 51.1% of the participants were male, 38.8% were primary school graduates, 38.8% were unemployed, 67.5% were married, 79.2% lived in an apartment building, 55.5% had a family structure consisting of 3-4 people. 40.1% of the participants preferred ready-to-drink water. Ultrasonography of the participants revealed that 14.8% had urinary calculi. Of the individuals with stones, 17.2% were female, 19.6% were primary school graduates, 18.8% were self-employed, and 33.3% were widowed/divorced. Among the individuals with stones, 26% used tap water as drinking water. The likelihood of stones in renal ultrasonography increased significantly with increasing age.

Conclusion: It was found that the individuals with stones in the renal system were more likely to be female, primary school graduates, widowed/divorced and consumed tap water as drinking water. In terms of drinking water consumption, it should be paid attention that tap water has been analyzed. Water should not be consumed from sources that do not meet the reliability conditions and the water source with the highest suitability should be preferred.