Citrate excretion in spinal cord injured patients

Low urinary citrate concentration is a risk factor for renal stone disease. In this study urine and serum citrate levels were measured in spinal cord injured patients and healthy controls then it is investigated whether there is a difference between them. Twenty-four hour urine samples were collected from patients and control group. Citrate and creatinine levels of these samples and serum citrate levels were measured on the same day. The levels of urine and serum citrate were lower in patients compared to control group. It has been known that low citrate levels in the body inhibit the inhibition of calcium's crystal formation and therefore an appropriate citrate enriched diet may decrease the risk of stone formation.