Medical Management of Kidney Stones: AUA Guideline (2026) Part II: Treatment and Follow-Up of Kidney Stones
In brief
Guideline recommends diet changes and meds to lower stone recurrence in high-risk patients
The 2026 AUA guideline, built on a systematic review of 30 studies, advises metabolic evaluation followed by targeted dietary measures and pharmacologic therapy for motivated adults and children at high risk of kidney-stone recurrence, plus scheduled imaging to monitor response. While the recommendations aim to cut future stones, real-world effectiveness and optimal follow-up intervals remain to be clarified.
- Journal
- The Journal of urology (Q1)
- Published
- 30 July 2026
- Study design
- Practice guideline / consensus
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1c)
- Authors
- Margaret S Pearle, Brian R Matlaga, Jodi A Antonelli, Gary N Asher, Thomas Chi, Ryan S Hsi, et al.
- PMID
- 42529979
- DOI
- 10.1097/JU.0000000000005228
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Pediatrics and Child Health (paper of the day, 31 July 2026).
- Picked for Urology (paper of the day, 31 July 2026): AUA guideline outlines treatment and follow‑up of kidney stones
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this Guideline is to provide a framework for the treatment and follow-up of patients with a history of kidney stones in order to reduce the likelihood of recurrent disease. The summary presented herein represents Part II of the two-part series dedicated to Medical Management of Kidney Stones. Please refer to Part I for additional information on this topic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The systematic review utilized in the creation of this Guideline is based on research conducted by the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International-University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC) under contract to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and funded by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute® (PCORI®). The EPC extracted and synthesized comparative effectiveness and harms outcomes for preventive treatment with diet or pharmacologic agents and surveillance imaging strategies in nonpregnant adults and children with a history of nephrolithiasis from 30 publications. RESULTS: A series of Guideline statements were developed that addresses the identification of individuals at high-risk of stone recurrence, the metabolic evaluation of high-risk and interested patients, treatment with dietary measures and pharmacologic therapy, and follow-up for assessment of therapeutic effects. The statements were developed based on the evidence base for this Guideline. CONCLUSIONS: Using the best available evidence and the expert opinion of the Panel, this Guideline offers recommendations for the initiation of dietary measures and drug therapy are provided to allow for active treatment of motivated and high-risk patients with the goal of reducing the risk of stone recurrence.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.