Evaluation of the role of serum and 24-hour urinary fetuin-A levels in patients with urolithiasis

Ritvij R. Patankar; Sreedhar Dayapule; Ankit Anand; Sandeep Davalla

doi:10.18203/2349-2902.isj20263839

Authors

Ritvij R. Patankar Department of Urology, RG Urology and Laparoscopy Hospital, Porvorim, Goa, India
Sreedhar Dayapule Department of Urology, Government Medical College, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India
Ankit Anand Department of Urology, TS Mishra Superspecialty Hospital, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
Sandeep Davalla Department of Urology, ESIC Medical College, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20263839

Keywords:

Urolithiasis, Fetuin-A, α2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein, Urinary biomarker, Nephrolithiasis, Calcification inhibitor

Abstract

Background: Urolithiasis is a common urinary tract disorder with a substantial risk of recurrence. Fetuin-A (α2-Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein) is a systemic inhibitor of ectopic calcification and may influence urinary crystal formation. This study compared serum and 24-hour urinary fetuin-A concentrations in patients with urolithiasis and controls and examined their relationship with stone radiopacity and composition. Methods: This prospective case-control study included 40 patients with urolithiasis and 40 controls matched for age, sex, and weight. Serum and 24-hour urine fetuin-A concentrations were measured using an ELISA. Stone radiopacity and chemical composition were assessed. Continuous variables were compared using independent-samples t-tests, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Mean serum fetuin-A concentrations were lower in patients with urolithiasis than in controls (35.06 ± 12.90 vs 41.31 ± 8.89 ng/mL; p = 0.0137). Mean 24-hour urinary fetuin-A concentrations were also lower (26.42 ± 10.15 vs 36.90 ± 18.31 ng/mL; p = 0.0022). Neither serum nor urinary fetuin-A differed significantly between patients with radiolucent and radio-opaque stones. Calcium oxalate, including mixed calcium oxalate-containing stones, was present in 31 of 40 cases (77.5%). Conclusion: Patients with urolithiasis had lower serum and urinary fetuin-A concentrations than controls. These findings demonstrate an association but do not establish causality. Larger studies are needed to determine whether fetuin-A has a role in stone formation or recurrence.

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