1. What is Oxalate/Creatinine Ratio?

Definition: This calculator determines the ratio of oxalate to creatinine in urine, which is used to assess kidney stone risk and metabolic disorders.

Purpose: It helps healthcare professionals evaluate a patient's risk for calcium oxalate kidney stones and diagnose primary hyperoxaluria.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Ratio \) — Dimensionless value (mg/mg)
• \( Oxalate \) — Oxalate concentration in urine (mg/L)
• \( Creatinine \) — Creatinine concentration in urine (mg/L)

Explanation: The ratio normalizes oxalate excretion to creatinine to account for variations in urine concentration.

3. Importance of Oxalate/Creatinine Ratio

Details: This ratio helps distinguish between normal and abnormal oxalate excretion, which is crucial for diagnosing and managing kidney stone disease.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the oxalate and creatinine concentrations from urine tests. Creatinine must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are normal oxalate/creatinine ratio values?
A: Typical values are <0.03 mg/mg in adults and <0.08 mg/mg in children, but consult lab-specific reference ranges.

Q2: Why use creatinine for normalization?
A: Creatinine excretion is relatively constant, making it a good marker to adjust for urine concentration variations.

Q3: When is this ratio particularly useful?
A: For evaluating hyperoxaluria in patients with recurrent calcium oxalate stones or suspected primary hyperoxaluria.

Q4: How should the urine sample be collected?
A: Typically a 24-hour urine collection is preferred, but random spot urine can be used for screening.

Q5: What factors can affect the ratio?
A: Diet, hydration status, medications, and certain medical conditions can influence results.