Calcium to magnesium ratio as a superior biomarker for nephrolithiasis detection in primary hyperparathyroidism

Abstract Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is marked by mineral imbalances, often leading to nephrolithiasis and osteoporosis. While imaging remains the cornerstone for stone detection, there is growing interest in biochemical markers that could enhance diagnostic accuracy. This study investigates...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nazif Yalçın, Ayşegül Ertınmaz Özkan, Elif Güneş, Nizameddin Koca
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-01-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86954-4
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1832571792030433280
author Nazif Yalçın
Ayşegül Ertınmaz Özkan
Elif Güneş
Nizameddin Koca
author_facet Nazif Yalçın
Ayşegül Ertınmaz Özkan
Elif Güneş
Nizameddin Koca
author_sort Nazif Yalçın
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is marked by mineral imbalances, often leading to nephrolithiasis and osteoporosis. While imaging remains the cornerstone for stone detection, there is growing interest in biochemical markers that could enhance diagnostic accuracy. This study investigates the calcium-to-magnesium (Ca/Mg) ratio as a novel biomarker for nephrolithiasis, comparing its utility to traditional 24-h urinary calcium excretion and exploring its broader clinical implications. In this retrospective study of 367 pHPT patients, clinical, biochemical, and bone mineral density (BMD) data were analyzed. Nephrolithiasis was diagnosed via imaging, and the diagnostic performance of the Ca/Mg ratio and urinary calcium excretion was assessed through receiver operating characteristic analysis. Multivariable regression was employed to identify predictors of kidney stones. The Ca/Mg ratio, with an optimal cutoff of 6.35, demonstrated superior specificity (78%) compared to 24-h urinary calcium excretion (44%) while maintaining comparable sensitivity (71% vs. 78%). Elevated Ca/Mg ratios strongly correlated with nephrolithiasis, independent of other demographic factors. Hypomagnesemia was linked to a higher prevalence of kidney stones, reduced BMD, and increased serum calcium and creatinine levels, emphasizing its impact on skeletal and renal health. The Ca/Mg ratio emerges as a promising, non-invasive biomarker for nephrolithiasis in pHPT, outperforming traditional urinary calcium measures. It reflects underlying mineral imbalances and offers a practical tool for risk stratification and clinical decision-making. These findings underscore the need for further research into magnesium-targeted interventions, which may transform the management of pHPT-related complications.
format Article
id doaj-art-69256617874d4f998b3df2161901e41c
institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-69256617874d4f998b3df2161901e41c2025-02-02T12:19:15ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-01-011511810.1038/s41598-025-86954-4Calcium to magnesium ratio as a superior biomarker for nephrolithiasis detection in primary hyperparathyroidismNazif Yalçın0Ayşegül Ertınmaz Özkan1Elif Güneş2Nizameddin Koca3Department of Internal Medicine, Bursa Sehir Training and Research Hospital, University of Health SciencesDepartment of Internal Medicine, Bursa Sehir Training and Research Hospital, University of Health SciencesDepartment of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Bursa Sehir Training and Research Hospital, University of Health SciencesDepartment of Internal Medicine, Bursa Sehir Training and Research Hospital, University of Health SciencesAbstract Primary hyperparathyroidism (pHPT) is marked by mineral imbalances, often leading to nephrolithiasis and osteoporosis. While imaging remains the cornerstone for stone detection, there is growing interest in biochemical markers that could enhance diagnostic accuracy. This study investigates the calcium-to-magnesium (Ca/Mg) ratio as a novel biomarker for nephrolithiasis, comparing its utility to traditional 24-h urinary calcium excretion and exploring its broader clinical implications. In this retrospective study of 367 pHPT patients, clinical, biochemical, and bone mineral density (BMD) data were analyzed. Nephrolithiasis was diagnosed via imaging, and the diagnostic performance of the Ca/Mg ratio and urinary calcium excretion was assessed through receiver operating characteristic analysis. Multivariable regression was employed to identify predictors of kidney stones. The Ca/Mg ratio, with an optimal cutoff of 6.35, demonstrated superior specificity (78%) compared to 24-h urinary calcium excretion (44%) while maintaining comparable sensitivity (71% vs. 78%). Elevated Ca/Mg ratios strongly correlated with nephrolithiasis, independent of other demographic factors. Hypomagnesemia was linked to a higher prevalence of kidney stones, reduced BMD, and increased serum calcium and creatinine levels, emphasizing its impact on skeletal and renal health. The Ca/Mg ratio emerges as a promising, non-invasive biomarker for nephrolithiasis in pHPT, outperforming traditional urinary calcium measures. It reflects underlying mineral imbalances and offers a practical tool for risk stratification and clinical decision-making. These findings underscore the need for further research into magnesium-targeted interventions, which may transform the management of pHPT-related complications.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86954-4Primary hyperparathyroidismHypomagnesemiaHypercalcemiaCa/Mg ratioKidney stones
spellingShingle Nazif Yalçın
Ayşegül Ertınmaz Özkan
Elif Güneş
Nizameddin Koca
Calcium to magnesium ratio as a superior biomarker for nephrolithiasis detection in primary hyperparathyroidism
Scientific Reports
Primary hyperparathyroidism
Hypomagnesemia
Hypercalcemia
Ca/Mg ratio
Kidney stones
title Calcium to magnesium ratio as a superior biomarker for nephrolithiasis detection in primary hyperparathyroidism
title_full Calcium to magnesium ratio as a superior biomarker for nephrolithiasis detection in primary hyperparathyroidism
title_fullStr Calcium to magnesium ratio as a superior biomarker for nephrolithiasis detection in primary hyperparathyroidism
title_full_unstemmed Calcium to magnesium ratio as a superior biomarker for nephrolithiasis detection in primary hyperparathyroidism
title_short Calcium to magnesium ratio as a superior biomarker for nephrolithiasis detection in primary hyperparathyroidism
title_sort calcium to magnesium ratio as a superior biomarker for nephrolithiasis detection in primary hyperparathyroidism
topic Primary hyperparathyroidism
Hypomagnesemia
Hypercalcemia
Ca/Mg ratio
Kidney stones
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86954-4
work_keys_str_mv AT nazifyalcın calciumtomagnesiumratioasasuperiorbiomarkerfornephrolithiasisdetectioninprimaryhyperparathyroidism
AT aysegulertınmazozkan calciumtomagnesiumratioasasuperiorbiomarkerfornephrolithiasisdetectioninprimaryhyperparathyroidism
AT elifgunes calciumtomagnesiumratioasasuperiorbiomarkerfornephrolithiasisdetectioninprimaryhyperparathyroidism
AT nizameddinkoca calciumtomagnesiumratioasasuperiorbiomarkerfornephrolithiasisdetectioninprimaryhyperparathyroidism