Stress as a principal cause of calcium oxalate urolithiasis.

Epidemiological information on calcium oxalate urolithiasis is reviewed and interpreted according to a proposed stress-related mechanism. This mechanism involves hypothalamo-hypophyseal secretion firstly of vasopressin which acts directly to produce hypertonic urine and secondly of adrenocorticotropin which acts via a secondary hyperparathyroid mechanism to raise serum calcium levels.