Idiopathic Hypercalciuria

Abstract

Idiopathic hypercalciuria, defined as the urinary excretion of more than 300 mg. calcium per day in men or more than 250 mg. calcium per day in women, or more than 4 mg. calcium per kg. per day, is observed in about 50 per cent of the patients with calcium oxalate/apatite nephrolithiasis and is one of the risk factors for stone formation. These patients do not exhibit hypercalcemia, elevated serum parathyroid hormone concentrations or urinary cyclic adenosine monophosphate excretion nor clinical evidence of sarcoidosis, other granulomas or a malignancy. Hypophosphatemia may be present. Augmented rates of intestinal absorption of dietary calcium account for most of the increments in urinary calcium. Serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D concentrations are in the upper normal range or elevated among many patients and are normal but not suppressed in the others. Activation of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D formation may be secondary to hypophosphatemia or other, as yet undefined, factors. Since, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D apparently can up-regulate its own receptor, small increments in its synthesis and blood levels could amplify the effect of the hormone to stimulate intestinal calcium absorption. Calcium balances are slightly but significantly negative and urinary hydroxyproline excretion may be increased so that a generalized disorder of calcium homeostasis also involving bone may be present. Additional studies are required to determine the genetic basis for the occurrence of idiopathic hypercalciuria in families, the cause of greater expression of idiopathic hypercalciuria in men and whether environmental factors (high dietary sodium chloride, protein and purified carbohydrate intakes) contribute to the expression of idiopathic hypercalciuria. Although thiazide diuretics, inorganic phosphate, magnesium hydroxide and potassium citrate have provided effective therapy, prospective studies are needed to determine optimum therapy and the optimum duration of treatment.