'If you have kidney stones, you need to drink more water'. Scientists have tested a well-known myth

Kidney stones are considered one of the most painful medical problems. However, about half of the patients have them again.

The main recommendation of doctors is to increase water intake in order to reduce the concentration of substances that form stones.

To check how well this approach works in real life, scientists conducted a large study involving 1658 people. They were followed for two years.

Details

The participants were divided into two groups. One group received standard recommendations, the other received a special programme to help them drink more water. It included:

• "smart bottles that tracked their fluid intake
• personalised water goals
• reminders and counselling
• financial incentives

Despite this, participants in the programme only slightly increased their fluid intake. And it wasn't enough:

overall, the incidence of stone recurrence did not significantly decrease.

The study showed that the problem was not so much with the recommendation itself, but with its implementation.

Maintaining a high level of water intake every day proved difficult, even with support and supervision.

In addition, fluid needs vary greatly from person to person - depending on age, lifestyle and health status.

Why it matters

The results show:

• drinking water is still important
• but it may not be enough
• prevention must be individualised

In the future, doctors may be able

• tailor personalised fluid goals
• take into account the patient's lifestyle
• combine a drinking regime with other therapies

Background

Kidney stones are a chronic condition that often recur and may require hospitalisation.

This study was the largest in its field and one of the first to assess not only fluid volume, but also the actual incidence of stone recurrence.

Source

The work was published in The Lancet.