Renal stones in Kelantan, Malaysia--has the pattern changed?

Records of 183 patients with renal stones managed at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia between 1985 and 1995 were retrospectively evaluated. The commonest symptom was lumbar pain which may be associated with either frequency, blood stained urine or dysuria. One hundred and sixty-one patients (88%) had upper tract stones while the remainder had lower tract stones. Positive urine cultures were seen in 33 patients. The commonest organism isolated was Escherichia coli followed by Klebsiella aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Almost all of our patients had renal impairment at presentation and 70% of them progressed to chronic renal failure. In contrast to previous findings, the pattern of renal stone in this region is similar to that described in Western society. Its effect on renal function is serious and hence warrant special attention.