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Thiazides and Calcium Stones: Overrated or Underused?

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Practical Controversies in Medical Management of Stone Disease

Abstract

The lifetime incidence of urolithiasis is approximately 10–15 % in the USA, with calcium-containing stones the most common offender. Among recurrent stone formers, thiazide-type diuretics have traditionally represented first-line therapy for prevention of recurrent calcium stones. However, with improved understanding of the benefits of lifestyle modification and alternative therapies for stone prevention, the utility of thiazides as first-line agents has recently come into question. This chapter will explore the rational for thiazide usage in the prevention of recurrent calcium stone disease, evaluate the evidence in favor of and against thiazides as first-line therapy, and finally examine the cost-effective use of thiazides and their comparative effectiveness to alternative forms of treatment.

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Correspondence to Amy E. Krambeck MD .

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Knoedler, J., Krambeck, A. (2014). Thiazides and Calcium Stones: Overrated or Underused?. In: Pearle, M., Nakada, S. (eds) Practical Controversies in Medical Management of Stone Disease. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9575-8_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9575-8_10

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