Objectives
This study aimed to investigate the association of demographic variables and serum calcium with hypercalciuria among the Meitei adult population of Manipur, Northeast India.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 413 participants (272 females and 141 males) aged 19 to 60 years. Participants were selected through a multistage sampling method from 5 valley districts of Manipur. Demographic and biochemical parameters were collected, including serum calcium, creatinine, and spot urine calcium and creatinine levels. One-way analysis of variance, Tukey’s post hoc test, chi-square test, multinomial logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed. The area under the ROC curve was calculated to determine the cut-off value of random urine calcium.
Results
The overall prevalence of hypercalciuria was 18.64%. The incidence of hypercalciuria increased with age; 41 to 60 age group were 3 times more likely to develop hypercalciuria than those in the 19 to 40 age group (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.86–5.47; p<0.001). A significant association (p<0.05) was also found between serum calcium and urine calcium levels. Hypocalcemic individuals were 3.5 times more likely to have hypercalciuria than normocalcemic individuals (95% CI, 1.33–9.31; p=0.01). ROC analysis revealed a predictive cut-off value of 23.07 mg/dL for random urine calcium.
Conclusion
This study demonstrates a high prevalence of hypercalciuria exceeding the global average. Given that Manipur has also been reported to have a high prevalence of kidney stones, this finding indicates a considerable health risk. Early intervention could therefore improve public health outcomes related to calcium and mineral metabolism.