HIV and the Kidney

HIV infection is associated with a variety of kidney disorders, including HIV-associated nephropathy and other glomerulopathies. Coexisting diabetes, hypertension, or hepatitis C may also contribute to renal dysfunction. Does antiretroviral therapy (ART) improve renal function in HIV-infected patients? To find out, investigators analyzed changes in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in HIV-infected patients who had participated in any of several ACTG randomized clinical trials testing ART regimens.

Of 1776 patients, 322 (18.1%) showed evidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), as determined by reduced GFR or proteinuria. As expected, older age, black race, diabetes, and hypertension were associated with CKD. Viral suppression by ART was associa…