The Kidney Function Trends in HIV/AIDS Patients : A study carried out at the Nylon District Hospital, Douala, Cameroon

Human immunodeficiency virus related kidney disease is one of the leading causes of death and affects predominantly people of black descen. A cohort study was carried out at the Nylon District Hospital Douala, Cameroon to investigate the Kidney function trends amongst HIV seropositive individuals. Kidney function tests like serum urea, serum creatinine, creatinine clearance, proteinuria and urine chemistry was measured amongst 329 participants amongst whom 30.4% were HIV negative and 69.6% were HIV positive. The age range of the study population was 18 to 60 years. There were 94(28.6%) males and 235 (71.5%) females. The percentage of HIV seropositivity was higher in females than in males. Although, Serum creatinine, creatinine clearance and proteinuria were significantly higher in the control group than in the HIV infected subjects, these values were not indicative of renal pathology. Considering only HIV positive individuals the mean serum creatinine was significantly higher in the Antiretoviral treatment (ART) nave group when compared to those who were already on ART. These findings indicate that renal function is not affected by the seropositivity status of individuals.