Effect of potassium citrate supplement on stone recurrence before or after lithotripsy: systematic review and meta-analysis
Carvalho M, et al.
Published in Urolithiasis
Methodology
Systematic review and meta-analysis searching Medline-PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, BVS (Scielo, Lilacs) and Google Scholar; paired reviewers selected randomised controlled trials in adults assessing potassium citrate before or after shock wave lithotripsy; fixed-effect model with 95% confidence intervals and I-squared heterogeneity assessment.
Key Findings
This meta-analysis pooled four randomised trials contributing five samples and 374 adults followed for 12 months after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for kidney stones. Potassium citrate at a mean dose of roughly 55 mEq/day significantly reduced stone recurrence over that year (risk ratio 0.21, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.31), with no significant heterogeneity between studies (p = 0.224). The authors note the quality of the included studies was generally low and call for a larger, methodologically rigorous trial.
Conclusions
Citrate supplementation effectively reduced nephrolithiasis recurrence in patients undergoing shockwave lithotripsy, though larger rigorous trials are needed.
Limitations
Only four trials with 374 participants and generally low methodological quality; follow-up stopped at 12 months and the very large apparent effect may be inflated by bias in small studies.
Supplements Studied
Citrate supplementation effectively reduced nephrolithiasis recurrence in patients undergoing shockwave lithotripsy, though larger rigorous trials are needed.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.