Studio osservazionale-longitudinale su pazienti affetti da litiasi renale che hanno fatto ricorso al trattamento idropinico con acqua di Fiuggi. [An observational and longitudinal study on patients with kidney stones treated with Fiuggi mineral water]

PURPOSE: To evaluate the development of clinical conditions particularly the possible expulsion of renal stones, in patients with nephrolithiasis this treated with Fiuggi Mineral Water. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was carried out in 614 patients, by administering them an appropriate questionnaire 6 month after drinking Fiuggi Mineral Water. RESULTS: The percentage of patients eliminating one or more renal stones was higher in those who drank mineral water at home (55.9%) compared to those who just drank water in Fiuggi (38.5%). Renal stones were eliminated more frequently in case of consecutive treatments than in case of cyclic treatments (54.3% vs 44.4%). Stone elimination was also related to quantity of the water which was daily drunk (up to 1 L/day, 52%; > 2 L/day, 72%). In 29% of the patient a stone relapse after operation or lithotripsy or both was observed. CONCLUSIONS: These data in agreement with those of other investigations show that surgical treatment or lithotripsy are not able to avoid stone relapse. Other treatments, such as mineral water drinking, may be useful in this situation.