Abstract
Epidemiological data on urolithiasis in sub-Saharan Africa are scarce because research resources throughout most of the continent are poor. South Africa is an exception in this regard. Stone disease has been reported in several countries. Epidemiological factors in these regions are not unusual. However, in a few countries the disease is extremely rare. The absence of stones can be attributed to epidemiological factors in all regions except South Africa, where stone rarity arises because of racial differences between the white and black population groups. Routine urinary biochemical risk factors cannot account for this phenomenon. However, the protective capacity of urinary proteins may play a role in this regard.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Rodgers A. The riddle of kidney stone disease: lessons from Africa. Urol Res. 2006;34:92–5.
Wise RO, Kark AE. Urinary calculi and serum calcium levels in Africans and Indians. S Afr Med J. 1961;35:47–50.
Vermooten V. The occurrence of renal calculi and their possible relation to diet. JAMA. 1937;109:857–9.
Abdel Goad EH, Bereczky ZB. Metabolic risk factors in patients with renal stones in KwaZulu Natal: an inter-racial study (Asians and Whites). BJU Int. 2004;93:120–3.
Gray D, Laing M, Nel F, Naude JH. Composition of urinary calculi collected in the Durban area. S Afr Med J. 1982;61:121–5.
Beukes GJ, De Bruyn H, Vermaak WJH. Effect of epidemiological factors on the composition and racial distribution of renal calculi. Br J Urol. 1987;60:1–5.
Sutor DJ. Composition of urinary calculi by X-ray diffraction. Collected data from various localities. Parts XII-XIV. Northern Ireland, South Africa and Kuwait. Br J Urol. 1972;44:287–91.
Kerr A, Laing M, Nel F. Fifteen years and 5000 X-ray patterns later: renal stone analysis at the University of Natal, Durban. S Afr J Sci. 1993;89:528–30.
Modlin M. The aetiology of renal stone: a new concept arising from studies on a stone-free population. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 1967;40:155–78.
Hesse A, Classen A, Knoll M, Timmerman F, Vahlensieck W. Dependence of urine composition on the age and sex of healthy subjects. Clin Chim Acta. 1986;160:79–86.
Whalley NA, Martins MC, Van Dyk RC, Meyers AM. Lithogenic risk factors in normal black volunteers, and black and white Ârecurrent stone formers. BJU Int. 1999;84:243–8.
Durrbaum D, Rodgers A, Sturrock E. A study of crystal matrix extract and urinary prothrombin fragment 1 from a stone-prone and stone-free population. Urol Res. 2001;29:83–8.
Webber D, Rodgers A, Sturrock E. Synergism between urinary prothrombin fragment 1 and urine: a comparison of inhibitory activities in stone-prone and stone-free population groups. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2002;40:930–6.
Rodgers A, Mensah P, Schwager S, Sturrock E. Inhibition of calcium oxalate crystallization by commercial human serum albumin and human urinary albumin isolated from two different race groups: evidence for possible molecular differences. Urol Res. 2006;34:373–80.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer-Verlag London
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Rodgers, A. (2012). Epidemiology: South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. In: Talati, J., Tiselius, HG., Albala, D., YE, Z. (eds) Urolithiasis. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4387-1_8
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-4387-1_8
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-4383-3
Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-4387-1
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)