Abstract
Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the urinary oxalate excretion patterns in
patients with vulvodynia compared with controls and to evaluate antioxalate therapy
in women with vulvar pain syndrome (vulvodynia). Study design: A total of 130 consecutive patients with vulvar pain syndrome and 23 volunteers without
symptoms collected urine specimens for 24 hours; each voiding was saved in individual
labeled containers and refrigerated. The specimens were analyzed individually for
oxalate and calculated according to 24-hour concentration, volume, and peak oxalate
by hour. A total of 59 patients were treated with low-oxalate diets and calcium citrate
for 3 months and evaluated for objective relief of vulvar pain. Results: The 24-hour excretion of oxalate was almost identical in controls and vulvodynia
patients. The total 24-hour excretion was directly proportional to the volume of urine
excreted (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found in peak oxalate excretion (95% confidence
intervals). The number of voidings was higher in the vulvodynia cohort (p < 0.02). The 59 women with elevated oxalate concentrations (>1 mg/40 dl) were treated
with an antioxalate regimen. Fourteen (24%) demonstrated an objective response, but
only 6 (10%) could have pain-free sexual intercourse. Conclusions: Urinary oxalates may be nonspecific irritants that aggravate vulvodynia; however,
the role of oxalates as instigators is doubtful.
Keywords
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Article Info
Publication History
Accepted:
February 20,
1997
Received in revised form:
February 12,
1997
Received:
December 10,
1996
Footnotes
☆From the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Good Samaritan Hospital.
☆☆Reprint requests: Michael S. Baggish, MD, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Good Samaritan Hospital, 375 Dixmyth Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45220.
★0002-9378/97 $5.00 + 0 6/1/81379
Identification
Copyright
© 1997 Mosby, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.