Study finds obese women more likely to have kidney stones

Detroit – Obesity may be driving an increase in kidney stones among women, suggests a new study from Henry Ford Hospital.

Data from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample showed more than 3.6 million emergency department visits for upper urinary tract stones from 2006 to 2009. Although men made up more of the patients, women had a higher increase in visits during the four-year study period.

Researchers noted that obesity – a risk factor for kidney stones – has increased among women. Obese women also are more likely than obese men to develop kidney stones, according to a press release from Henry Ford Hospital.

The study was published online Aug. 8 in the Journal of Urology.