Dietary Characteristics of Patients with Urolithiasis in Georgia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52340/GBMN.2026.01.01.153Keywords:
Dietary intake, nutrition, prevention, urolithiasisAbstract
Background: Disturbances in dietary behavior play a significant role in the development of urolithiasis. It is also important to emphasize that individual constitutional characteristics should be carefully considered when assessing potential risk. In Georgia, the actual dietary intake of patients with urolithiasis has not yet been studied. Objectives: Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate nutritional patterns of individuals with urolithiasis before diagnosis, with the ultimate goal of developing and implementing effective preventive measures. Methods: The study population consisted of patients aged 18 or older with urolithiasis at the National Urology Center in Tbilisi. A total of 318 patients were surveyed. A quantitative, observational research design was employed, based on dietary analysis methodologies. Results: The proportion of protein in total daily energy intake did not differ by sex: 20.7% [16.0–26.5] in men and 20.7% [13.9–31.1] in women (p=0.883). In both groups, the median exceeded the recommended range of 11–14%. Similarly, the proportion of total fat in daily energy intake did not differ significantly between men (35.1% [30.2–42.4]) and women (37.3% [25.4–49.9]) (p=0.594). In both groups, however, the median exceeded the recommended level of 30%. Carbohydrates accounted for 43.7% [34.3–50.4] of total daily energy intake in men and 38.2% [26.4–51.0] in women; the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.079). In both sexes, however, the median proportion of carbohydrate intake was lower than the recommended range of 56–58%. Daily total energy intake was 1535.65 [1162.45–1985.45] kcal/day in women (n=172) and 1682.65 [1397.40–1945.10] kcal/day in men (n=146). Conclusions: The present study provided important findings that may serve as a basis for practical dietary recommendations for patients with urolithiasis in Georgia. The results highlight the importance of dietary modification in the population, particularly for individuals predisposed to stone formation or with other internal or environmental contributing factors.References
Demographic characteristics
Body Mass Index (BMI)
Dietary patterns and meal frequency
Daily water consumption
Every day/almost every day
3-5 times a week
1-3 times a week
1-2 times a month
Never
Macronutrients (proteins, fats, carbohydrates)
Dietary fiber
Lee HY, Kang HW, Kim K, Ha YS, Kim WT, Kim YJ, Yun SJ, Kim WJ, Lee SC. Nutritional status assessed by the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score as a predictor of recurrence of urolithiasis. Investig Clin Urol. 2021;62(5):553-559. doi:10.4111/icu.20210031.
Mukasa D, Sung J. A prediction model of Nephrolithiasis Risk: A population-based cohort study in Korea. Investig Clin Urol. 2020;61(2):188-199. doi:10.4111/icu.2020.61.2.188.
Wang L, Yu Y, Jiang Z, Lin F, Zhong Y, Wang C, Huang S, Xu Z. Inverse association between prognostic nutritional index and kidney stone prevalence: A population-based study. PLoS One. 2025;20(2):e0318254. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0318254.
Allam EAH. Urolithiasis unveiled: pathophysiology, stone dynamics, types, and inhibitory mechanisms: a review. Afr J Urol. 2024;30(1):34.
Yao L, Yang P. Relationship between remnant cholesterol and risk of kidney stones in U.S. Adults: a 2007–2016 NHANES analysis. Ann Med. 2024;56(1):2319749.
Liu M, Gao M, Wu J, Zhu Z, Hu J, Chen H, et al. Metabolic syndrome and the risk of kidney stones: evidence from 487 860 UK Biobank participants. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2024;dgae295.
Shabani E, Khorshidi A, Sayehmiri K, Moradi K, Nabi Abdolyousefi E. The effect of nutritional factors on urolithiasis: a case-control study. J Med Life. 2023;16(7):1062-1069. doi:10.25122/jml-2022-0321.
Johri N, Cooper B, Robertson W, Choong S, et al. An update and practical guide to renal stone management. Nephron Clin Pract. 2010;116(3):c159–c171. doi:10.1159/000317196.
Remer T, Kalotai N, Amini AM, Lehmann A, Schmidt A, Bischoff-Ferrari HA, et al. Protein intake and risk of urolithiasis and kidney diseases: an umbrella review of systematic reviews for the evidence-based guideline of the German Nutrition Society. Eur J Nutr. 2023;62(5):1957-1975. doi:10.1007/s00394-023-03143-7.
Premen AJ. Potential mechanisms mediating postprandial renal hyperemia and hyperfiltration. FASEB J. 1988;2:131–137. doi:10.1096/fasebj.2.2.3277887.
Wagner EA, Falciglia GA, Amlal H, Levin L, Soleimani M. Short-term exposure to a high-protein diet differentially affects glomerular filtration rate but not acid-base balance in older compared to younger adults. J Am Diet Assoc. 2007;107(8):1404-1408. doi:10.1016/j.jada.2007.05.003.
Fenton A, Montgomery E, Nightingale P, Peters AM, Sheerin N, Wroe AC, Lipkin GW. Glomerular filtration rate: new age- and gender-specific reference ranges and thresholds for living kidney donation. BMC Nephrol. 2018;19(1):336. doi:10.1186/s12882-018-1126-8.
Ogna A, Forni Ogna V, Bochud M, Guessous I, Paccaud F, Burnier M, Wuerzner G. Association between obesity and glomerular hyperfiltration: the confounding effect of smoking and sodium and protein intakes. Eur J Nutr. 2016;55(3):1089-1097. doi:10.1007/s00394-015-0923-0.
Chagnac A, Herman M, Zingerman B, Erman A, Rozen-Zvi B, Hirsh J, Gafter U. Obesity-induced glomerular hyperfiltration: its involvement in the pathogenesis of tubular sodium reabsorption. Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2008;23(12):3946-3952. doi:10.1093/ndt/gfn379.
Li Z, Woollard JR, Wang S, Korsmo MJ, Ebrahimi B, Grande JP, Textor SC, Lerman A, Lerman LO. Increased glomerular filtration rate in early metabolic syndrome is associated with renal adiposity and microvascular proliferation. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol. 2011;301(5):F1078-F1087. doi:10.1152/ajprenal.00333.2011.
Pedersen AN, Kondrup J, Børsheim E. Health effects of protein intake in healthy adults: a systematic literature review. Food Nutr Res. 2013;57. doi:10.3402/fnr.v57i0.21245.
Lin BB, Lin ME, Huang RH, Hong YK, Lin BL, He XJ. Dietary and lifestyle factors for primary prevention of nephrolithiasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Nephrol. 2020;21(1):267. doi:10.1186/s12882-020-01925-3.
Moe OW, Huang CL. Hypercalciuria from acid load: renal mechanisms. J Nephrol. 2006;19 Suppl 9:S53-61.
Choi C, Kim JK, Han K, Lee YG, Han JH. Effect of obesity and metabolic health on urolithiasis: A nationwide population-based study. Investig Clin Urol. 2022;63(1):63-70. doi:10.4111/icu.20210332.
Pajunen P, Kotronen A, Korpi-Hyövälti E, Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi S, Oksa H, Niskanen L, et al. Metabolically healthy and unhealthy obesity phenotypes in the general population: the FIN-D2D Survey. BMC Public Health. 2011;11:754. doi:10.1186/1471-2458-11-754.
Velho S, Paccaud F, Waeber G, Vollenweider P, Marques-Vidal P. Metabolically healthy obesity: different prevalences using different criteria. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2010;64:1043–1051. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2010.114.
Conus F, Allison DB, Rabasa-Lhoret R, St-Onge M, St-Pierre DH, Tremblay-Lebeau A, Poehlman ET. Metabolic and behavioral characteristics of metabolically obese but normal-weight women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004;89(10):5013-5020. doi:10.1210/jc.2004-0265.
Karamnova NS, Izmailova OB, Kalinina AM, Shalnova SA. The Methodical manual on the quantitative assessment of consumed food "Atlas of portions of food and dishes". Moscow: Polygraphy for Business; 2018.
Federal State Budgetary Institution "FITZ of nutrition and biotechnology". Information and analytical system "Database of chemical composition of food products used in the Russian Federation." Accessed May 20, 2022. http://web.ion.ru/food/FD_tree_grid.aspx
Physiological recommendations in energy and nutrients for Georgia population. Accessed February 2026. https://www.matsne.gov.ge/ka/document/view/55534?publication=0
Dogliotti E, Vezzoli G, Nouvenne A, Meschi T, Terranegra A, Mingione A, et al. Nutrition in calcium nephrolithiasis. J Transl Med. 2013;11:109. doi:10.1186/1479-5876-11-109.