The problem of kidney and bladder stones is one of the oldest medical afflictions known to mankind. Today it is one of the most common diseases of the urinary system. It currently accounts for approximately one hospitalization in every thousand in the United States. The disease is more common in males, and generally strikes in the third decade of life.
Stones are rare in children and in blacks.
A hereditary factor has been reported, but environmental factors apparently play the predominant role, as family members living in the patient's household have stones more often than blood relatives who live elsewhere. The higher the calcium level excreted in the urine the higher the risk of stone formation. The Southeastern states report the highest incidence, probably reflecting the longer periods of warm weather. New England reports the second highest incidence. About half of all stones formed will pass spontaneously, the balance require surgical removal.