What is the most common type of kidney stone?

Calcium oxalate stones are indeed the most common type of kidney stone found in the general population. They form when there is high calcium or oxalate concentration in the urine. Various factors can contribute to the formation of these stones, including dietary habits, dehydration, and metabolic conditions that increase calcium or oxalate excretion.

Uric acid stones, while they occur frequently, are less common than calcium oxalate stones. They typically form in individuals with conditions that lead to increased uric acid levels in the urine, such as gout or certain types of metabolic syndrome.

Struvite stones can develop as a result of urinary tract infections caused by urease-producing bacteria, leading to a different mechanism of stone formation. Although they can be recurrent, their overall occurrence is lower compared to calcium oxalate stones.

Cystine stones are rare and typically occur in individuals with a genetic disorder known as cystinuria, which leads to excessive excretion of cystine in the urine. While they can cause significant renal issues, they are much less prevalent than the more commonly encountered calcium oxalate stones.

Thus, understanding the prevalence and etiology of these stones is important in clinical practice, particularly for prevention strategies and management of patients with