There has been a substantial global increase in the prevalence of urolithiasis. It is one of the most pervasive diseases of the urinary system and recurrence of renal stones remains to be a serious problem in human health.1 Around 50% patients suffer at least one recurrence in their life time, and 10 to 20% experience three or more further episodes of urolithiasis.2 The increase in incidence of women affected by urolithiasis has outpaced that of men. Although it continues to be more common in men, the incidence rate ratio of men to women with urinary tract stones has narrowed from 3.4 to 1.3.3 Estimatedly, about 12% of the Indian polulation is currently affected with urinary stones, half of which may end up with loss of kidney functions.3 The prevalence rate of urolithiasis is further expected to increase owing to lifestyle modifications, dietary habits and global warming. It is also noteworthy that there exist essential variations in the prevalence of urolithiasis across different geographical regions due to nutritional patterns, climate, environment, ethnicity, and heredity (Figure 1).2,3 Obesity, diabetes, hypertension and metabolic syndrome are considered as important risk factors for stone formation; conversely, stone formers are also at risk of hypertension, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD).