URINARY OXALATE EXCRETION AND ITS ROLE IN VULVAR PAIN SYNDROME

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 urin e 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 l ow-oxalate diets and calcium citrate for 3 months and evaluated for ob jective relief of vulvar pain. RESULTS: The 24-hour excretion of oxala te was almost identical in controls and vulvodynia patients. The total 24-hour excretion was directly proportional to the volume of urine ex creted (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found in peak oxal ate excretion (95% confidence intervals). The number of voidings was h igher 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 o xalates may be nonspecific irritants that aggravate vulvodynia; howeve r, the role of oxalates as instigators is doubtful.