Renal Function Impairment and Associated Risk Factors among Human Immunodeficiency Virus Positive Individuals at Felege Hiwot Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Getachew Kahsu, Wubet Birhan, Zelalem Addis, Mulat Dagnew, Baye Abera

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of renal impairment and associated risk factors among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive patients. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV positive patients at Bahir Dar Felege Hiwot referral Hospital. Demographic and other data were collected using structured questionnaires. Body mass index, urine protein, CD4 count, hemoglobin, electrolyte, lipid profile, serum urea and creatinine were measured. Data was entered into EPI info version 3.5.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 16. Descriptive statistics was calculated and logistic regression models were used to investigate factors associated with renal impairment. Results: A total 307 HIV positive patients, 153 highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) naïve, who didn’t take highly active antiretroviral therapy, and 154 on HAART were enrolled in the study. The mean (±SD) age of the participants was 34.69 (± 8.86) years and about 61% were females. The prevalence of renal impairment in HAART naïve and on HAART individuals was 30.1% and 12.9% respectively. Proteinuria was found in 17.9 % of the participant. Low CD4 count (Adjusted odds ratio= 24.11; (95% CI 11.06, 52.56) and being HAART naïve (Adjusted odds ratio = 6.58; 95% CI 2.99, 14.47) showed significant association with the prevalence of renal impairment. Conclusion: This study showed a high prevalence of renal impairment in HIV positive individuals with higher rates among HAART naïve individuals. It also indicated that renal function in HIV positive individuals, which are HAART naïve, particularly, persons with low CD4 counts. Further cohort studies with larger sample size are also important to establish the prevalence rate of renal impairment.