Prevention of spinal bone loss by potassium citrate in cases of calcium urolithiasis.
OBJECTIVE
We determine if potassium citrate treatment stabilizes spinal bone density among patients with recurrent calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis.


METHODS
We studied a group of 16 men and 5 women with stones taking potassium citrate from 11 to 120 months. They represented all patients from the Stone Clinic who took potassium citrate alone for at least 11 months. L2-L4 bone mineral density data before and after potassium citrate treatment were retrieved retrospectively and analyzed.


RESULTS
In the combined group L2-L4 bone mineral density increased significantly by 3.1% over mean duration of 44 months. Z score, corrected for age matched normal values, increased significantly by 3.8%. Urinary pH, citrate and potassium increased significantly during treatment but urinary calcium did not change.


CONCLUSIONS
Potassium citrate, a commonly used drug for the prevention of recurrent nephrolithiasis, may avert age dependent bone loss. Spinal bone density increased in most patients when it normally decreases.
Pak
Charles Y C
CY
Center for Mineral Metabolism and Clinical Research, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Peterson
Roy D
RD
Poindexter
John
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D001851:Bone Diseases, Metabolic / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000652:urine; D002129:Calcium Oxalate / Q000652:urine*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000652:urine; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000652:urine; D019357:Potassium Citrate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000652:urine; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002129:Calcium Oxalate; D019357:Potassium Citrate