USDRN'S MISSION

The Urinary Stone Disease Research Network (USDRN) is a group of scientists and investigators designing and conducting research on urinary stones (sometimes called kidney stones) in adults and children in order to learn:

• who forms kidney stones
• what are the best treatments
• how to prevent stones from forming

USDRN research aims to provide the best evidence-based care options for the millions of people who are seeking relief from urinary stones, which cause significant pain and suffering. The number of people in the U.S. with urinary stone disease has nearly doubled in the last 15 years, and it is increasing in both adults and children. Notably, people who have one stone are more likely to have another in the future.

In addition to being a major patient burden, urinary stone disease is also a significant financial burden for the United States. According to the Urological Diseases in America project funded by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the annual cost of USD is estimated at $10 billion, making it the most expensive nonmalignant urologic condition in the U.S.