Trends of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in Saudi Arabia

Management of nephrolithiasis in the Middle East over a recent decade: A systematic review

Nephrolithiasis is a prevalent issue around the globe, particularly in hot climates such as Saudi Arabia. This analysis's objectives were to investigate the characteristics of kidney stones in Eastern Saudi Arabia and to provide the following findings: urinary stone composition, gender and age distribution, seasonal variations in stone formation, coexisting diseases linked to stone development, and urinary stone incidence. With comparisons to European and American populations, the primary risk factors for nephrolithiasis in Asian populations are to be determined through this systematic review and meta-analysis. We synthesized data from 13 geographically different studies using a thorough literature search through PubMed, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate following the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses criteria. Potential targets for specialized public health programs were highlighted by the elucidation of differences in health-care-seeking behavior and disparities in health-care access. The results of this systematic analysis give doctors, researchers, and policymakers a thorough understanding of the condition of nephrolithiasis care in Saudi Arabia today. In addition, to maximize the care of nephrolithiasis in this particular group, this review identifies information gaps and highlights the necessity of context-specific guidelines and future research initiatives. All things considered, this systematic review addresses the unique possibilities and problems that exist within the Saudi Arabian health-care sector while also adding to the worldwide conversation on nephrolithiasis.

The Saudi urological association guidelines on urolithiasis

Aims

The Saudi Urolithiasis Guidelines are a set of recommendations for diagnosing, evaluating, and treating urolithiasis in the Saudi population. These guidelines are based on the latest evidence and expert consensus to improve patient outcomes and optimize care delivery. They cover the various aspects of urolithiasis, including risk factors, diagnosis, medical and surgical treatments, and prevention strategies. By following these guidelines, health-care professionals can improve care quality for individuals with urolithiasis in Saudi Arabia.

Panel

The Saudi Urolithiasis Guidelines Panel consists of urologists specialized in endourology with expertise in urolithiasis and consultation with a guideline methodologist. All panelists involved in this document have submitted statements disclosing any potential conflicts of interest.

Methods

The Saudi Guidelines on Urolithiasis were developed by relying primarily on established international guidelines to adopt or adapt the most appropriate guidance for the Saudi context. When necessary, the panel modified the phrasing of recommendations from different sources to ensure consistency within the document. To address areas less well covered in existing guidelines, the panel conducted a directed literature search for high quality evidence published in English, including meta analyses, randomized controlled trials, and prospective nonrandomized comparative studies. The panel also searched for locally relevant studies containing information unique to the Saudi Arabian population. The recommendations are formulated with a direction and strength of recommendation based on GRADE terminology and interpretation while relying on existing summaries of evidence from the existing guidelines.