Trends in the Medical Management of Urolithiasis: A Comparison of General Urologists and Endourology Specialists

ObjectivesTo determine whether there are differences in the medical and dietary recommendations given to stone formers between urologists that subspecialize in endourology and general urologists.MethodsA 10 question on-line survey was sent via e-mail to members of the North Central Section (NCS) of the American Urological Association and the Endourological Society (ES).ResultsA total of 206 surveys were completed by members of the NCS and 122 surveys were completed by members of the ES. Of the ES members, 75% were in academic practice versus 21% of NCS members (P < .01). Urologists in both groups performed their own medical management (88% ES, 83% NCS) and believed that they were able to provide effective dietary recommendations (73% ES, 72% NCS). Most urologists in both groups performed 24-hour urine and serum studies in recurrent stone formers (68% ES, 73% NCS) as opposed to all stone formers (17% ES, 18% NCS). Members of both groups recommended low salt intake to all stone formers (68% ES, 61% NCS) or only calcium stone formers (18% ES, 29% NCS; P = .03). A higher percentage of urologists from the ES recommended low animal protein intake to all stone formers than urologists from the NCS (69% ES, 47% NCS; P < .05).ConclusionsUrologists from both the NCS and the ES, despite differences in the type of practice, subspecialty interest in endourology and geographic location of practice, have similar medical and nutritional practices when counseling patients in the prevention of stone disease.