Nephrolithiasis and/or nephrocalcinosis is significantly related to renal dysfunction in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome

Abstract

Objective: The present study compared the clinical features of patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) with and without nephrolithiasis and/or nephrocalcinosis to determine factors related to renal dysfunction.

Methods: The clinical features of 68 patients with anti-Sjogren's syndrome antigen A (SSA)/Ro-antibody-positive pSS with and without nephrolithiasis and/or nephrocalcinosis who underwent abdominal computed tomography and/or ultrasonography were retrospectively analysed.

Results: Of the 68 patients with anti-SSA-antibody-positive pSS, 23 (33%) had renal nephrolithiasis and/or nephrocalcinosis, whereas 45 (67%) did not. Fourteen (20%) patients had renal dysfunction at diagnostic imaging. Among five patients who underwent renal biopsy, four patients with renal nephrolithiasis and/or nephrocalcinosis were diagnosed with tubulointerstitial nephritis, and one without nephrolithiasis and/or nephrocalcinosis was diagnosed with minimal change nephrotic syndrome. Estimated glomerular filtration rate at diagnostic imaging was significantly lower in patients with than without nephrolithiasis and/or nephrocalcinosis group (P = 0.010). In addition to nephrolithiasis and/or nephrocalcinosis (odds ratio [OR], 3.467; P = 0.045), the gap between serum sodium and chloride concentrations (OR, 10.400; P = 0.012) and increased urinary β2-microglobulin (OR, 5.444; P = 0.033) were associated with renal dysfunction at the time of diagnostic imaging.

Conclusion: Nephrolithiasis and/or nephrocalcinosis, normal anion gap metabolic acidosis, and tubulointerstitial damage are associated with renal dysfunction in patients with pSS.

Keywords: Nephrocalcinosis; nephrolithiasis; primary Sjögren’s syndrome; renal dysfunction.