Prevalence of upper urinary tract stone disease in a rural community of north-eastern Thailand.

A survey was conducted of upper urinary tract stone (UUTS) disease in an administrative subdivision of Khon Kaen Province in Thailand. Initial case screening was done by direct contact with the village health volunteers and village health communicators. A positive patient was defined as one who had had surgery for UUTS, previously been diagnosed by physicians, or had a history of stone passage. Those who belonged to the latter 2 categories were confirmed radiologically. The prevalence of UUTS was 3.76/1000. The male/female ratio was 2:1. The average age was 50 +/- 13 years (range 8-71). Common associated symptoms were back pain, abdominal pain, painful urination, stone passage and blood-stained urine; 75% of the patients were from a poor socio-economic class. The data suggest that UUTS is common in north-eastern Thailand. Although this is an approximate and, perhaps, an underestimated prevalence, the present method is cost-effective, efficient and appropriate for conducting community surveys in developing nations.