UK Biobank data show kidney stone incidence rises linearly with age, challenging prior assumptions

Retrospective · J Endourol · 2026-10-15. Number 4 in the UrologyWatch Top 5 for October 15, 2026.

Among nearly 495,000 UK Biobank participants followed 2010-2022, kidney stone incidence rose progressively with age (39.4 to 150.5 per 100,000 person-years from age 46 to 80), contrasting with the traditional view that risk peaks in middle age.

Why it matters: Suggests stone prevention and management should extend more deliberately into older age groups.

Limitation: Observational cohort; residual confounding by diet, comorbidity, and healthcare-seeking behavior not fully addressed.

Source: J Endourol · PubMed 42870750 · DOI 10.1177/08927790261495498

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