Familial clustering of stone disease

Abstract

Across the world, from 15 to 68 % of patients with stone may have a family history of stone in their fi rst-degree relatives. A family history is associated with an earlier onset of disease and a greater chance of recurrence. The lifetime risk (to age 75) for a brother of the propositi is ~50 %. The reason for a high frequency of stone in the immediate family might be consanguinity, dietary, or environmental. If genetic factors are present, the inheritance appears polygenetic rather than monogenetic.