An increase in air temperature as a result of climate change increases the risk of stones in the kidneys due to dehydration of the body. This conclusion came scientists and Switzerland, who published research results in the Nature magazine. In its article, experts rated the influence of hot days for the spread of urolithiasis on the example of the population of the state of South Carolina.
Researchers analyzed incidence data from 1997 to 2014 and correlated them with air temperature indicators. This allowed them to predict the influence of global warming on the future frequency of urolithiasis until 2089. To simplify, scientists assumed the lack of adaptation of people to the heat (which refers, for example, an increase in demand for air conditioners) and demographic changes.
Two climate change scenarios were considered. One (RCP 4.5) implies a rapid reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and the other (RCP 8.5) is unlimited emissions. By 2085-2089 (compared with 2010-2014), the total number of cases of urolithiasis throughout the state will increase by 2.2 percent as RCP 4.5 scenario and 3.9 percent as RCP 8.5 scenario. According to the assessment associated with this, total redundant costs will be 57 and 99 million dollars, respectively.