PubMed1982
Calcium (Ca) metabolism was compared in 2 groups of patients with chronic interstitial nephritis: in 21 patients (AAN-group) nephropathy was due to exposure for 5 to 50 years (mean 21.1) to phenacetin containing analgesics, whereas in 21 other patients (controls) it was due to exposure for 1 to 80 years (mean 21.4) (NS) to other causes. Patients were followed for 2.5 +/- 0.6 and 1.6 +/- 0.6 years respectively (mean +/- SEM) (NS). Blood Ca, P, protein, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone (PTH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D), together with arterial acid-base status and urinary excretion rate of Ca, P and creatinine were measured serially. For each patient the results were averaged for 2 degrees of renal failure, i.e. for creatinine levels below and above 400 mumol/l (logarithmic mean). Results were included only when P was maintained between 0.7 and 1.9 mmol/l. The range of creatinine levels studied was 95 to 1600 mumol/l. No differences were found between the 2 groups with respect to creatinine clearance, blood, P, protein, arterial pH and urinary excretion rates of Ca and P. There was a trend for blood HCO3 to be lower in the AAN group. Mean plasma Ca was significantly lower, and PTH was significantly higher, in the AAN than in the control group at both degrees of renal failure; mean plasma alkaline phosphatase activity was also significantly higher in the AAN group, but at severe degrees of renal failure only. Significant correlations were observed between individual values of both Ca and PTH (r = -0.747) and PTH and alkaline phosphatase (r = 0.603). The degree of hypocalcemia and of hyperparathyroidism was not related to the plasma level of 25-OH-D. It is concluded that at comparable degrees and duration of renal failure patients with AAN, when compared with patients with interstitial nephritis of other origins, have lower blood Ca and consequently higher PTH levels and alkaline phosphatase activities, suggesting more severe osteodystrophy.