The impact of body mass on management of patients with renal colic.

OBJECTIVE

To study the impact of body mass on diagnosis and initial response to medical treatment in patients presenting with renal colic.

METHODS

One hundred and sixty-five consecutive patients presenting with symptoms of renal colic have been examined. Patients were divided in 3 groups according to their body mass index: normal-weight (BMI < or = 24.9 kg/m2), overweight (BMI 25.0-29.9 kg/m2) and obese (BMI > or = 30 kg/m2). Diagnosis of renal colic was based on history, clinical examination, presence of hematuria in a urine sample, appearance of a stone on a plain radiograph, and/or presence of hydronephrosis in ultrasonography. In addition, previous history of renal colic, time to seek medical advice and time to pain relief following administration of medications were examined.

RESULTS

Mean body mass index did not differ between patients with a history of < or = 1, 1-5 and > or = 5 renal colics (P = 0.65). Prevalence rates of appearance of either lithiasis or hydronephrosis vs normal findings on the Kidney-Ureter-Bladder plain radiograph or ultrasonography were not different between normal-weight, overweight and obese subjects (P = 0.38 and P = 0.90 respectively). The time to seek for medical advice and the response to treatment were not different between the study groups (P = 0.24 and P = 0.53 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Body mass does not have any impact on diagnosis, time to seek for medical advice or response to treatment in patients with renal colic.