High Prevalence of Kidney Stone Disease of Gouty Origin in Roman Pontiffs Reigning in the Years 537-2005.
Natale Gaspare De SantoCarmela BisacciaLuca Salvatore De SantoPublished in: Experimental and clinical transplantation : official journal of the Middle East Society for Organ Transplantation (2023)
The data suggest a higher prevalence of uric acid stones, which is linked to higher consumption of meat and sodium chloride. However, the last pope with kidney stone disease died in 1914. Although renal stone disease disappeared from papal palaces, population studies now indicate an increase in uric acid levels in the general population. The data can be explained based on the "Theory of Epidemiological Transition," pointing to the importance of education in eradicating poor lifestyles.