Vascular calcification on the risk of kidney stone: a meta-analysis

The association between vascular calcification (VC) and kidney stone is still inconclusive. Therefore, we conducted a meta-analysis to estimate the risk of kidney stone disease in subjects with VC. To identify publications from related clinical studies, we performed a search on PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases from their inceptions until 1 September 2022. According to obvious heterogeneity, a random-effects model was used to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analysis was conducted trying to dissect the effects of VC in different segments and population regions in predicting kidney stone risk. Seven articles were included with a total number of 69,135 patients, of which 10,052 have vascular calcifications and 4728 have kidney stones. There was a significantly higher risk of kidney stone disease in participants with VC versus control (OR = 1.54, 95% CI: 1.13–2.10). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of the results. VC can be separated into abdominal, coronary, carotid, and splenic aortic calcification while pooled analysis of abdominal aorta calcification did not indicate a significant higher kidney stone risk. An obvious higher risk of kidney stone was observed in Asian VC patients (OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.07–2.61). Combined evidence of observational studies suggested patients with VC may be associated with an increased risk of kidney stone disease. Despite the predictive value was relatively low, it is still worth noting that patients with VC are under the threat of kidney stone disease.

血管钙化（vascular calcification，VC）与肾结石之间的关联目前尚无定论。因此，本研究开展了一项荟萃分析，以评估血管钙化人群罹患肾结石疾病的风险。为检索相关临床研究文献，我们于PubMed、Web of Science、Embase及Cochrane Library数据库中进行了文献检索，检索时限自建库伊始至2022年9月1日。鉴于存在显著异质性，本研究采用随机效应模型计算比值比（odds ratios，OR）及其对应的95%置信区间（confidence intervals，CI）。我们开展了亚组分析，以剖析不同类型血管钙化及不同人群区域对肾结石风险的预测效应。本研究共纳入7项文献，涉及总样本量69135例患者，其中10052例存在血管钙化，4728例罹患肾结石。与对照组相比，血管钙化参与者的肾结石疾病风险显著升高（OR=1.54，95%CI：1.13–2.10）。敏感性分析证实了研究结果的稳定性。血管钙化可分为腹部钙化、冠状动脉钙化、颈动脉钙化及脾主动脉钙化，而针对腹主动脉钙化的合并分析并未显示其可显著升高肾结石风险。在亚洲血管钙化患者中，观察到其肾结石风险显著升高（OR=1.68，95%CI：1.07–2.61）。现有观察性研究的综合证据表明，血管钙化患者可能伴随肾结石疾病风险升高。尽管其预测价值相对有限，但仍需警惕血管钙化患者面临的肾结石疾病威胁。