Epidemiology

In adults, the incidence and causes of urinary tract obstruction varies with age and sex.[1] Unilateral obstructive uropathy is most commonly due to ureteral stones. Prevalence of stone disease varies between geographical locations at between 5% to 9% in Europe, and 5% to 15% in Asia.[2] In the Arab world and countries such as Thailand and Indonesia, where there is a high incidence of stones, obstructive uropathy is a major cause of end-stage renal disease.[3][4]​ In the US, the prevalence of ureteric stones is estimated to be around 10%.[5] Men are over 2 times more likely to be affected than women and there is increased prevalence in white populations compared with Hispanic, Asian, and African American populations.[2][5]​​[6]​ The age at peak incidence is seen in adults aged 40 to 50 years.[7] Stones are more common in hot and dry climates.[2][8]

In older age groups, urinary tract obstruction is common in men due to benign prostatic hyperplasia or malignancy.[1] Autopsy studies show an increasing histological prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia with age: 8% of men in the 4th decade of life and 80% in the 9th decade of life.[9]

Other causes of obstructive uropathy are less common and data on their incidence is sparse.

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