Epidemiology of Nephrolithiasis in Personnel Returning From Operation Iraqi Freedom

Objectives

To examine the epidemiology of urolithiasis in personnel returning from deployment to Southwest Asia.

Methods

A survey-based study of personnel returning from deployment to Southwest Asia was performed. The demographics were compared between the personnel reporting a history of urolithiasis during or within the first 90 days of returning from deployment and the personnel without a history of reported urolithiasis.

Results

A total of 10,180 personnel were demobilized and 6153 surveys were received during a 9-month period, for a survey response rate of 60%. Of the personnel returning survey, 1% reported urolithiasis during their deployment. The personnel who reported urolithiasis were slightly older than those who did not (32.6 vs 29 years old, P < .00038). The odds of reporting urolithiasis during deployment were 30.9 times greater for personnel with a history of stone disease and 2.4 times greater for those with a family history of stone disease. No difference was found in the rates of urolithiasis with regard to sex or race. Also, no strong evidence for an association between the rates of reported urolithiasis and seasonal variations in temperature in Southwest Asia was found.

Conclusions

The rate of reported urolithiasis among deployed personnel was lower than that in the general population. The personnel who reported urolithiasis during deployment were slightly older. A personal history or family history of stone disease was significant predictors of urolithiasis in this deployed population.