ASN's Mission

To create a world without kidney diseases, the ASN Alliance for Kidney Health elevates care by educating and informing, driving breakthroughs and innovation, and advocating for policies that create transformative changes in kidney medicine throughout the world.

learn more

Contact ASN

1401 H St, NW, Ste 900, Washington, DC 20005

email@asn-online.org

202-640-4660

The Latest on X

Kidney Week

Abstract: TH-PO378

Association between Urine Volume, Urine pH, and Urine H+ Excretion

Session Information

Category: Fluid, Electrolytes, and Acid-Base Disorders

  • 1102 Fluid, Electrolyte, and Acid-Base Disorders: Clinical

Authors

  • Yenchek, Robert H., University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
  • Raphael, Kalani L., University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Background

Fluid intake is the cornerstone of nephrolithiasis prevention by increasing 24-hour urine volume. Increasing urine volume could raise urine pH through a dilutional effect on urine [H+] yet not impact H+ excretion rate. We evaluated the association between urine volume, pH, and H+ excretion rate in calcium stone formers. Dietary acids and alkali absorption affect the 24-hour urine pH and modulate nephrolithiasis risk. It is unknown whether fluid intake independently affects urine pH via a dilution effect on the urine H+ excretion rate.

Methods

We evaluated cross-sectional associations between 24-hour urine volume, urine pH, and urinary free H+ excretion rate in 165 adult treatment-naïve, calcium stone formers. All urine parameters were measured using laboratory derived 24-hour urine collection data. 24-hour free H+ excretion was calculated based on urine pH and urine volume. Dietary alkali was estimated by calculating GI alkali absorption (GIAA) and urine sulfate was used as an estimate of dietary acid intake. Linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between 24-hour urine volume and 1) urine pH and 2) 24-hour free urine H+ excretion rate. Models were adjusted for GIAA, urine sulfate, age, sex, BMI, urine creatinine, and urine ammonium.

Results

Mean age was 51 years, 49% were female. Mean urine pH was 5.9 and mean 24-hour urine volume was 1.8 L/d. Urine volume was not associated with urine pH in the adjusted model. However, each 1 liter increase in 24-hour urine volume was associated with a 0.42 (0.33, 0.51) increase in log 24 hour H+ excretion rate in the adjusted model, (see Figure 1).

Conclusion

Contrary to our hypothesis, urine volume was not associated with urine pH but was associated with higher free H+ excretion rate, perhaps due to increased urine flow. Increased H+ excretion rate may offset the expected increase in urine pH from dilution alone.

Figure 1.