Urine and Stool Analysis in Kidney Stone Disease

The purpose of this study is to add to the investigators' quest to understanding stone disease, by evaluating the metabolites excretion in urine and its relation to microflora present in the stool.

Kidney stones affect up to 10% of the Canadian population and can lead to pain, hospitalization, lost of time at work, and surgery. Approximately 80% of stones consist of calcium and oxalate, of which both components come from diet and normal bodily processes. Individuals who have high levels of oxalate in their urine have a greater tendency to generate stones. One recommendation is to reduce their intake of oxalate-containing foods, but many healthy foods contain oxalate, and an oxalate-free diet is unpalatable and difficult to achieve. Some patients, despite reducing their oxalate intake, still have high amounts in the urine.

Intestinal metabolism is largely affected by the state and composition of the intestinal bacterial flora, with several metabolic diseases being linked to a disrupted "normal" intestinal flora. The investigators believe that calcium oxalate stone disease as well as high urinary levels of oxalate (hyperoxaluria) are triggered by inefficient oxalate metabolism in the intestine, which is linked to a "disrupted" intestinal bacterial flora that lacks certain key components such as O. formigenes. The long-term purpose of this study is therefore, to determine the effect of replenishing the intestinal flora of patients with that of "normal" controls, thereby re-introducing a balanced environment that will lead to the re-establishment of normal metabolic functions and a decrease in urinary oxalate levels and hopefully lower incidence of stone disease.

Subjects in the study group are seen at Vancouver General Hospital for their kidney stone disease. Subjects in the control group do not have history or family history of kidney stones and can join the study if they are eligible, wiling to participate, and can provide their specimens at Vancouver General Hospital.

• Study group
  • Age > 19
  • Radiological evidence indicating presence of a current renal or ureteric stone
• Control group
  • Age > 19.
  • No history of kidney stone disease

Inclusion Criteria:

CONTROLS

• Age > 19.
• No history of kidney stone disease

STUDY (Stone Patient)

• Age > 19
• Radiological evidence indicating presence of a current renal or ureteric stone

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnancy
• Positive Urine Culture
• Active cancer
• Recurrent urinary infections
• Gross hematuria
• Inability to provide informed consent
• In the Investigator's opinion, the patient would not be good for the study.

CONTROLS ONLY

• Family history of kidney stones
• History of kidney stones