ABSTRACT
Nephrolithiasis is a complex disease, thus an understanding of the epidemiology, particularly the interactions among different factors, may help lead to approaches that reduce the risk of stone formation. Epidemiologic studies can also help quantify changes in patterns of burden of disease and identify risk factors. Uncovering new risk factors may provide insight into pathophysiologic processes related to stone formation. These types of studies also allow examination of genetic influences and gene-environment interactions.
