Effect of Thiazides on the Urinary Calcium Oxalate Stone-Forming Potential in Normal Males

Abstract

We studied the effect of bendroflumethiazide on a risk factor index, COSP, reflecting the stone-forming potential of urinary calcium oxalate. This index includes the concentrations of three stone promotors: calcium, oxalate, and uric acid in its numerator, and two stone inhibitors: magnesium and citrate, in its denominator. These risk factors were measured in 4-hour and 24-hour urinary specimens obtained under fixed conditions of food and fluid intake. Eight normal males were studied before and after two and four weeks of continued thiazide treatment. Thiazide 2.5 mg b.i.d. was given for two weeks, followed by 2.5 mg t.i.d. for another two weeks.

Before treatment COSP exhibited a pronounced diurnal variation with peaks between 8 a.m. and noon, and 8 p.m. and midnight. After four weeks of thiazide treatment suppression of two stone promotors, calcium (p<0.01) and uric acid (p<0.02), and reduced COSP by 36 to 95% in each subject (median: −71%, p<0.01). Moreover, thiazide abolished the diurnal variation of COSP. After the initial two weeks of thiazide 2.5 mg b.i.d., almost identical effects were observed. Nearly all the changes in COSP were explained by the effects on urinary calcium.

This marked suppression of COSP supports the theory that thiazides may be useful in the prevention of renal calcium oxalate stone formation.