Demographic and Clinical Profile of Ureteric Calculi at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Saurashtra, Gujarat: A Hospital-Based Observational Study

Abstract

Background: Ureteric calculi are an important cause of acute urological presentations, with clinical manifestations ranging from colicky pain to urinary tract obstruction. This study evaluated the demographic and clinical profile of patients with ureteric calculi at a tertiary care hospital in Saurashtra, Gujarat. Material and Methods: This hospital-based observational study included 100 patients with ureteric calculi. Demographic characteristics, presenting symptoms, laboratory parameters, urine culture results, and imaging and endoscopic findings were assessed using descriptive statistics. Results: Among the 100 patients, 75% were male, and the most common age group was 20–30 years (37%). Right-sided calculi occurred in 48% of patients, left-sided calculi in 46%, and bilateral calculi in 6%. Colicky abdominal pain (90%) was the predominant symptom, followed by burning micturition (30%). Urine analysis showed an alkaline reaction in 72% of patients. Red blood cells and pus cells were detected in 76% and 58%, respectively. Urine cultures showed no growth in 44% of samples, while Escherichia coli was the predominant isolate (30%). Ultrasonography revealed mild, moderate, and severe hydronephrosis in 10%, 5%, and 2% of patients, respectively. Among patients undergoing intravenous urography (n = 33), hydronephrosis with hydroureter was observed in 51.51%. Cystoscopy (n = 31) revealed normal findings in 80.64%. Conclusion: Ureteric calculi predominantly affected males and young adults in this cohort. Colicky abdominal pain was the most frequent presenting symptom, while haematuria, urinary inflammatory findings, and upper urinary tract dilatation were notable clinical and investigative features.