Over-the-Counter Alkali Agents to Raise Urine pH and Citrate Excretion: A Prospective Crossover Study in Healthy Adults.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of 2 over-the-counter alkalizing agents on 24 hour urinary parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten healthy volunteers without a history of kidney stones were recruited to complete a baseline 24 hour urinalysis with a 4 day diet inventory. Participants then maintained the same diet on either LithoLyte (20 mEq 2 times per day) or KSPtabs (1 tablet 2 times per day) and submitted another 24 hour urinalysis. The process was repeated with the other supplement. Urinary alkali parameters were compared to baseline, and side effects were elicited with a questionnaire. RESULTS: LithoLyte intake resulted in a non-significant increase in citrate (597-758 mg/day, P =.058, an increase in urine pH (6.46-6.66, P =.028), and a decrease in urine ammonium (41-36 mmol/day, P =.005) compared to baseline. KSPtabs resulted in an increase in citrate (597-797 mg/day, P =.037) and urine pH (6.46-6.86, P =.037), with a non-significant decrease in ammonium (41-34 mmol/day, P =.059). No significant differences were seen comparing urinary analytes between LithoLyte and KSPtabs. With Litholyte, no side effects, mild, moderate, and severe side effects were seen in 50%, 40%, 10%, and 0%, respectively. With KSPtabs, rates were 60%, 20%, 10%, and 10%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In healthy participants without a history of kidney stones, LithoLyte and KSPtabs are effective over-the-counter alkali supplements, with a similar side effect profile to prescription potassium citrate.

Increased population use of medications for male lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia correlates with changes in indications for transurethral resection of the prostate.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine whether there are correlations between medication use for lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostate hypertrophy (LUTS/BPH) and alteration in incidence and indications for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The number of TURP patients between 1984 and 2008 in Iceland was obtained from hospital registries. The number of defined daily doses (DDDs) of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (5aRIs) and alpha-blockers (ABs) sold was obtained from the Icelandic Medicines Control Agency. Charts of all surgical BPH patients in Iceland from 1998 to 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. The main outcomes measures were: DDDs sold of 5aRIs and ABs, total numbers of TURP, indications for TURP and complications. RESULTS: After the introduction of ABs and 5aRIs, sales increased annually at a near linear rate. TURP rates peaked in 1992, then declined. In 2008, 81 and 3.4 of 1000 men over the age of 50 used LUTS/BPH medications or underwent TURP, respectively. There was an inverse correlation between LUTS/BPH medication use and (i) overall TURP (R(2) = 0.85), (ii) TURP done for absolute indications (R(2) = 0.91), and (iii) LUTS with (R(2) = 0.77) and (iv) without previous medical therapy (R(2) = 0.75). As medication use rose, fewer TURPs were performed for previous history of urinary retention, and more for recurrent urinary tract infections. CONCLUSION: Increased use of ABs and 5aRIs in the Icelandic population correlated with decreasing incidences of TURP procedures for both LUTS and absolute indications. The sequelae of BPH and indications for TURP are changing as medication use increases, although a clear causative link is hard to establish.