Kidney stone formers are thought to be at increased risk for cardiovascular events,1-3 chronic kidney disease (CKD), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD).4-7 If stone formers are at higher risk for cardiovascular and CKD complications, a higher mortality rate may also be expected. Stone formers also have an increased comorbid condition burden, with dyslipidemia,8 hypertension,8,9 diabetes,8,10-12 and metabolic syndrome,12-14 which results in a higher expected mortality rate.15 However, evidence that kidney stones directly lead to higher mortality and moreover, higher mortality independent of these comorbid conditions, is lacking.