The assessment of renal function in HIV-1 positive patients during antiretroviral therapy

Abstract

Background Antiretroviral drugs may have negative effects on renal function. They can cause nephrotoxicity, glucose intolerance and lipid disorders. On the other hand, by suppressing ongoing systemic inflammation, cART may decrease the risk of non-AIDS defining diseases including kidney diseases. Material and methods The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the renal function in HIV-1 positive patients before and during cART. The level of serum creatinine, creatinine clearance (CrCl) using the Cockcroft–Gault formula and urine analysis were determined. Results The study population consisted of 141 patients, 69% male and 31% female. Their mean age was 36.3 years. Intravenous drug use was reported in 100 subjects (70.9%). Proteinuria before and during of cART was observed in 20.8% and 7.8% patients, respectively ( p < 0.001). CrCl below 90 ml/min was observed in: 14.1% of patients at the start of cART and in 28.3% of patients during cART. The mean CrCl on cART decreased in the group of patients without proteinuria before the introduction of cART but did not change in the group of patients with proteinuria before the introduction of cART. Conclusion The introduction of cART has a slight impact on renal function.