title: The beta-2 microglobulin urine-to-serum ratio: an early marker of renal dysfunction in primary hyperparathyroidism.
abstract: Human beta-2 microglobulin (beta-2 M) is released into body fluids as a result of cell turnover, excreted by the kidney, and catabolized in the proximal tubule. Urinary excretion rates constitute a sensitive index of renal tubular function. The beta-2 M urine-to-serum ratio was measured in 25 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (15 preoperative and 10 treated conservatively) in addition to 20 age- and sex-matched control subjects. The ratio was found to be significantly higher in both the operative and the conservatively managed groups compared to controls (p less than 0.05, Mann-Whitney U test). After surgical excision of a single parathyroid adenoma in the 15 operative cases, the beta-2 M urine-to-serum ratio fell to normal limits. These preliminary findings indicate that the urine-to-serum beta-2 M ratio may be of value in detecting change in renal function in asymptomatic patients with hyperparathyroidism. Further studies are indicated to establish whether these subtle changes are associated with long-term morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Unit, London Hospital, Whitechapel, England.
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Goode
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Monson
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Sprague
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Donaldson
authors.forename: G C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Toms
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery / Q000652:urine; D007684:Kidney Tubules / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000032:analysis / Q000652:urine*
chemical_list: D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin