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Renal colic shows a circadian pattern

Circadian pattern in occurrence of renal colic in an emergency department: analysis of patients’ notes BMJ Volume 324, p 767

Researchers reviewed all episodes of renal colic from 1990 to 1996 in the emergency department of St Anna Hospital in Ferrara, Italy.

Over 3,400 episodes of renal colic were reported. Kidney stones were found in almost half of patients. The average age of patients was 46 years, and the time (within 30 minutes) when symptoms started was determined for 3,360 patients.

Episodes of renal colic show a highly significant circadian pattern, with a morning peak and an afternoon low, say the authors. A similar circadian variation with a midnight peak, independent of meal times, has been reported for episodes of biliary colic (spasms of pain in the abdomen caused by gallstones).

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