Urolithiasis Is Prevalent And Associated With Reduced Bone Mineral Density In Beta-Thalassaemia Major

Asymptomatic urolithiasis is common and of mixed composition in patients with beta-thalassaemia major. Twenty-seven subjects were imaged using dual-energy computer tomography to determine the presence and composition of urolithiasis. The prevalence of urolithiasis was 59% and affected patients generally had multiple stones, often with more than one component: struvite (33%), calcium oxalate (31%) and cystine (22%). Hypercalciuria was present in 78% of subjects and calcium-containing urolithiasis was associated with reduced femoral neck Z scores.