A One Day Cellulose Phosphate (CP) Test Discriminates Non-Absorptive from Absorptive Hypercalciuria

Abstract

Recurrent calcium urolithiasis is a major health problem in affluent societies. In view of the increasing cost of health services, there is strong pressure to use cost-effective procedures to identify patients in need of specific treatment. The value of thiazides for preventing recurrent calcium stone formation has not been established in placebo-controlled studies (indeed, one such study showed no benefit albeit with a large beta error¹¹). Yet, strong circumstantial clinical evidence supports the validity of the original concept that thiazides reduce the risk of stone recurrence, irrespective of whether the hypercalciuria is absorptive or non-absorptive in origin. Assuming that thiazides should first be tested in recurrent calcium stone formers in whom known secondary causes of hypercalciuria can be excluded, the aim of the present study to determine whether or not short-term administration of oral cellulose phosphate can identify individuals with resorptive hypercalciuria among recurrent calcium stone formers.