High dietary calcium to phosphorus ratio is associated with high prevalence of kidney stone

Abstract

Kidney stones formation is a multifactorial condition and influenced, in some degree, by dietary habits. Authoritative clinical guidelines published nutritional recommendations for individuals prone to kidney stone formation. The association between dietary intake calcium to phosphorus (Ca/P) ratios and the prevalence of kidney stones is not well-established in extensive epidemiological studies. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017 to 2018 database were utilized in this study. A total of 3 149 participants with a history of kidney stones were enrolled in the present analysis. The participants were categorized into 4 groups based on their dietary Ca/P ratio, divided by quartiles, with quartile 1 representing the lowest ratio and quartile 4 indicating the highest ratio. We applied survey-weighting to all the data and conducted logistic regression models to assess the connections between Ca/P ratio and the likelihood of developing kidney stones. We utilized restricted cubic spline analysis to assess the nonlinear relationship between dietary Ca/P ratio intake and the risk of kidney stones. In a fully adjusted model referred by quartile 1, participants in quartile 4 had a significantly higher rate of kidney stones (odds ratio 1.5697, P < .001). Compared with single calcium or phosphorus consumption, the Ca/P ratio was found to be a better predictor of the risk of kidney stones. The quartile analysis suggested an appropriate Ca/P ratio of 0.5513 to 0.6810 to meet a lower risk of kidney stones. There was a significant association between dietary Ca/P ratio intake and the risk of kidney stones. A moderate intake of dietary Ca/P ratio was recommended.