Spot Urine Oxalate to Creatinine Ratio and 24 Hours Urinary Oxalate

A cross-sectional study was conducted at Section of Chemical Pathology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi from 1st February to 31st December 2019. Adult patients with history of kidney stones presenting at the Clinical Laboratory for 24 hours urine oxalate estimation were included in the study. Debilitated or bed ridden patients and patients with renal failure or end stage renal disease, in whom urinary oxalate is no longer an indicator of disease status were excluded from the study. Study was approved by ethical review committee of Aga Khan University Hospital. Patients after informed consent, were guided to submit a spot urine sample. Clinical details were recorded on a structured questionnaire by the principal investigator.

24 hour urine samples were collected in a jar having thymol, which is routinely added to limit bacterial growth and hence guard against citrate degradation. Spot urine samples were collected in red top container without any added preservatives. The specimen were transported to the laboratory within the 12 hours of collection of 24 hour urinary specimen.

Volume of 24 hour urine was measured in liters. After mixing of the urinary sample to overcome effects of sedimentation, a 6 ml aliquot was made and HCl was added to avoid the precipitation of oxalate crystals in every sample. Specimen was stored at -20 C till further analysis.

Urinary oxalate was measured on Micro lab 300 using a kit based on oxalate oxidase principle by Trinity Biotech plc. Wick low, Ireland following standard operating procedures. Urinary creatinine was measured on ADVIA 1800 by Siemens, US using kinetic Jaffe reaction. Both normal and abnormal quality control materials were run with every batch of oxalate and creatinine analysis in urine to validate the results. In addition, external proficiency testing of urinary oxalate was conducted by College of American Pathologists (CAP).

The cut-offs for 24 hour oxalate excretion was 502 ųmol/24 hours for males and 353 ųmol/24 hours for females. The cut-offs for spot oxalate: creatinine ratio was 33 ųmol/mmol for males and 45 ųmol/mmol for females.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with history of kidney stones.
• All patients investigated for 24 hour urinary oxalate excretion.
• Patients between 18 years to 60 years would be included.
• Both genders will be included.

Exclusion criteria

• Debilitated patients or bed ridden patients in whom proper and complete 24 hour urine collection will be troublesome.
• Patients with renal failure/end stage renal disease, in whom urinary oxalate is no longer an indicator of disease status.