Kidney stones are common and costly. They are associated with severe pain, and increased rates of chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. Despite this importance, there is much that is not known about stone risk factors and preventative options are limited. We propose to study two novel factors, circadian rhythm disruption and bisphosphonate medications, and the association with kidney stone formation within the Nurses? Health Study II cohort. Disruptions in circadian rhythm, as in night shift work, may be a modifiable risk factor for kidney stones because of the known diurnal variation in kidney function and kidney stone risk, association between a melatonin receptor and recurrent kidney stones, and the possible lowering effect of melatonin on urinary calcium. Higher urinary calcium levels are associated with increased risk of kidney stones. Bisphosphonate medications may also reduce urinary calcium; if they also reduce kidney stone risk, this could be a new preventative option for patients with calcium-containing kidney stones.
In Aim 1, we will examine the association between shift work and kidney stone formation. We hypothesize that night shift work will be associated with higher risk of kidney stone formation.
In Aim 2, we will study bisphosphonate use and risk of kidney stones. We will also do a cross-sectional analysis using urine samples to compare mean urinary calcium levels between participants using and not using bisphosphonates. We hypothesize that bisphosphonate use will be associated with lower risk of kidney stone formation and lower mean urinary calcium excretion. Characterizing additional risk factors and identifying novel treatments will contribute to understanding of kidney stone formation and provide additional preventative strategies for patients and providers.

Public Health Relevance

Kidney stones are common, costly, and associated with severe pain, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and coronary heart disease. Despite this importance, there is much that is not understood about stone risk factors and preventative options are limited. We propose to study two novel factors, circadian rhythm disruption and bisphosphonate medications, and the association with kidney stone formation within the Nurses? Health Study II cohort.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Postdoctoral Individual National Research Service Award (F32)
Project #
1F32DK111056-01
Application #
9188632
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDK1)
Program Officer
Rankin, Tracy L
Project Start
2016-08-15
Project End
2018-08-14
Budget Start
2016-08-15
Budget End
2017-08-14
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
030811269
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
Prochaska, Megan; Taylor, Eric; Ferraro, Pietro Manuel et al. (2018) Relative Supersaturation of 24-Hour Urine and Likelihood of Kidney Stones. J Urol 199:1262-1266
Prochaska, Megan; Taylor, Eric; Vaidya, Anand et al. (2017) Low Bone Density and Bisphosphonate Use and the Risk of Kidney Stones. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 12:1284-1290