Evaluating the effectiveness of adding magnesium chloride to conventional protocol of citrate alkali therapy on kidney stone size

BACKGROUND: Potassium citrate (K-Cit) is one of the therapeutic solutions broadly used in patients with urolithiasis. However, recent studies have shown that it is not so effective. Therefore, the goal of our study was to evaluate the effect of a combination of K-Cit - MgCl(2) oral supplements, on urinary stone size. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was performed on 70 asymptomatic urolithiasis cases. The supplements included K-Cit and magnesium chloride (MgCl(2)), purchased from (Merck Company, Germany). The patients were randomly divided into two groups. The urinary stone size was measured in the control group after prescribing K-Cit alone and the treated group with combination of K-Cit and MgCl(2) for 4 weeks by ultrasonography and also urinary parameter was measured in each groups. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 16.26 ± 5.70 years. Hyperoxaluria and hypercalciuria were seen in 70% and 52% of patients, respectively. Initially, the mean urinary stone size was measured in each groups and there is not any significant different. However, we find a significant decrease in urinary stone size in group which is treated with combination of K-Cit and MgCl(2) for 4 weeks in comparison with control group treated with K-Cit alone in the same duration of therapeutic course (5.1 ± 0.8 vs. 2.5 ± 1.2, P < 0.05). All ultrasonography were performed by one radiologist and device. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that a combination of K-Cit and MgCl(2) chloride is more effective on decreasing urinary stone size than K-Cit alone.