https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2024.12022

Occupational hazard in urolithiasis patients in Qatar: A single-center cross-sectional study

Vol. 96 No. 1 (2024)
Submitted: October 24, 2023
Accepted: January 9, 2024
Published: March 19, 2024
Urolithiasis, occupational risk, environmental factors, geographic prevalence, Qatar
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PDF: 227
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Authors

Kamran Hassan Bhatti
Urology Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Alkhor, Qatar.
Rawa Bapir
Smart Health Tower, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaimani, Kurdistan; Kscien Organization for Scientific Research (Middle East Office), Hamid Str, Azadi Mall, Sulaimani, Kurdistan; Department of Urology, Surgical Teaching Hospital, Sulaimani, Kurdistan, Iraq.
Nadeem Sohail
Urology Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Alkhor, Qatar.
Faaz Salah Gomha
Urology Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Alkhor, Qatar.
Ahmed H.A. Shaat
Urology Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Alkhor, Qatar.
Aftab Ahmed Channa
Urology Unit, Islam Medical College, Sialkot, Pakistan.
Khalid Mohammed Abdelrahman
Urology Department, Hamad Medical Corporation, Alkhor, Qatar.
Bryar Othman Muhammed
Smart Health Tower (Raparin Branch), Karux Street, Rania, Sulaimani, Kurdistan, Iraq.
Nali H. Hama
Smart Health Tower, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaimani, Kurdistan; College of Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaimani, Kurdistan, Iraq.
Fahmi H. Kakamad
fahmi.hussein@univsul.edu.iq
Smart Health Tower, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaimani, Kurdistan; Kscien Organization for Scientific Research (Middle East Office), Hamid Str, Azadi Mall, Sulaimani, Kurdistan; College of Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaimani, Kurdistan, Iraq.
Berun A. Abdalla
Smart Health Tower, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaimani, Kurdistan; Kscien Organization for Scientific Research (Middle East Office), Hamid Str, Azadi Mall, Sulaimani, Kurdistan, Iraq.
Jihad Ibrahim Hama
Research Center, University of Halabja, Halabja, Kurdistan, Iraq.
Hiwa O. Abdullah
Smart Health Tower, Madam Mitterrand Street, Sulaimani, Kurdistan; Kscien Organization for Scientific Research (Middle East Office), Hamid Str, Azadi Mall, Sulaimani, Kurdistan, Iraq.

Background: Urolithiasis is one of the most prevalent urological diseases and is associated with a substantial economic burden. Its prevalence varies according to geographical location. Qatar is a Middle Eastern country located in the Afro-Asian Stone Belt. It has a dry and hot climate, which may predispose individuals working in these environments to form kidney stones (KSs).
Methods: A population sample of 4204 patients was categorized into five occupational classes. The frequencies and correlations of these occupations with KS formation were calculated.
Results: Among the total cases, 2000 presented with KSs, with the majority being of Asian descent (49%), followed by individuals of Middle Eastern descent (35.1%). Technicians accounted for 35.15% of KS cases followed by clerks (29.2%) and executives (14.6%). Among KS cases, 44% had a single stone, 30% had multiple stones, and 26% had two stones. In comparing both KS and non-KS groups, age, gender, occupation, and race were significantly associated with KS formation (p<0.05), while BMI did not show any significant correlation (p>0.05). Asian males aged 31-40, working as technicians, were significantly more prone to urolithiasis. In comparing age, BMI, and gender with stone characteristics, only age was found significantly associated with stone size (p<0.05). Occupation showed an impact on all studied stone characteristics. Clerks and technicians presented more frequently with stones within the 11-15 mm range, while executives more frequently presented with smaller stones (p<0.001). Stone density was more frequently <500 HU in workers, technicians and housewives and >500 HU in executives and clerks (p<0.001).
Conclusions: Our findings revealed an elevated risk of urolithiasis among certain occupational groups, particularly technicians, who frequently work outdoors in high-temperature environments. Alternatively, the sedentary nature of clerical and executive positions can also contribute to the risk of urolithiasis.

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How to Cite

Bhatti, K. H., Bapir, R., Sohail, N., Gomha, F. S., Shaat, A. H., Channa, A. A., Abdelrahman, K. M., Muhammed, B. O., Hama, N. H., Kakamad, F. H., Abdalla, B. A., Hama, J. I., & Abdullah, H. O. (2024). Occupational hazard in urolithiasis patients in Qatar: A single-center cross-sectional study. Archivio Italiano Di Urologia E Andrologia, 96(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2024.12022
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