Prevention of spinal bone loss by potassium citrate in cases of calcium urolithiasis

Purpose: We determine if potassium citrate treatment stabilizes spinal bone density among patients with recurrent calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis. Materials and 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.