Prevalence of and factors associated with Crystalluria at the regional hospital of Tanguieta, Benin

Abstract

Introduction: Crystalluria is a risk factor for urinary stone disease. In Benin, urinary stones have been studied, but crystalluria has not been studied so far.

Objective: To study the prevalence of crystalluria and associated factors.

Method: We performed a prospective study through an exhaustive census and inclusion of patients with crystalluria at microscopic examination of urine sediment at the Regional Hospital of Tanguieta in Benin from 1 February to 31 May 2021.

Results: The estimated hospital prevalence of crystalluria was 6.3%, i.e. 73 patients with crystalluria in 1164 inward patients of the general medicine department who participated in the study. Crystalline species found in the patients were calcium oxalate dihydrate (42.7%), calcium oxalate monohydrate (30.9%), uric acid dihydrate (16.2%), uric acid anhydrous (7.4%), calcium phosphate (8.8%), triple phosphate (10.3%), and cholesterol 1.5%). The factors associated with crystalluria were body mass index ≥ 25kg/m², fluids drinking < 3 litres/day, hypertension, acid urine pH, urine density between 1.025 and 1.030, prostate tumours and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion: The hospital prevalence of crystalluria was 6.3%. Crystalluria-associated factors were obesity, low daily hydration, urine density between 1.025 and 1.030, acid urine pH and the presence of diseases such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus and prostate tumours.