Hypouricemia with hypercalciuria: Longitudinal study and review of the topic

The association of hypouricemia and hypercalciuria is rare. In 1974 a new syndrome named Hypouricemia with hypercalciuria and decreased bone density was described. Afterwards, some cases with such association were published in which the fractional excretion of urate was higher than 20ml/100ml FGR. We have analyzed a series of children who were diagnosed with hypouricemia and hypercalciuria and who were monitored. The aim of this study was to determine whether our patients could be affected by the aforementioned syndrome or be carriers of a variant of idiopathic hypercalciuria.

Retrospective longitudinal study in which the medical records of eight patients (5V, 3M) diagnosed with hypouricemia and hypercalciuria in childhood. Clinical features at diagnosis, ultrasound and densitometric findings and selected biochemical variables were noted, with special emphasis on renal tubular handling of urate. Results were compared with 36 children with idiopathic hypercalciuria without hypouricemia (14V, 22M).

In the hypouricemia group baseline urate levels were 1.9 (0.3) mg/dl (range: 1.5-2) and first day urine calcium/creatinine ratio 0.27 (0.05) mg/mg (range: 0.23-0.31). In all cases fractional urate excretion was less than 20ml/100ml FGR. The z-DMO values were less than -1 in 4/8 cases. At the last follow-up only three cases still had an elevated calcium/creatinine ratio and in all of them the urates levels was greater than 2mg/dl. The z-DMO value had improved in five cases and worsened in three others. In relation to the group without hypouricemia, no differences were observed between the various parameters studied including the z-DMO value, with the exception of fractional excretion and tubular urate reabsorption although plasmatic uric acid levels were still significantly lower.

Our patients with hypercalciuria and hypouricemia would be affected by a variant of idiopathic hypercalciuria in which, due to an unknown cause, the proximal tubular reabsorption of urate is modestly reduced and improves over time. Hypouricemia with hypercalciuria and decreased bone density may not be a specific entity.