Correlation Of The Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (Egfr) And The Antiretroviral Therapy Of HIV-1 Patients At A Rural Hospital In South Western Uganda

Abstract

Background: Patients infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) live longer while receiving combination therapies of Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART). However, kidney diseases have emerged as significant causes of morbidity and mortality among these patients. If patients are not monitored, renal complications may develop and a poor prognosis could result into severe kidney damage. Thisvstudy therefore, investigated the effect of the various combination therapies given to the patients’ vis a vie their estimated glomerular filtration rate. Methodology: This cross-sectional study recruited 200 study participants who were receiving HIV healthcare services from St Daniel Comboni Hospital Kyamuhunga in Bushenyi district. Blood samples were obtained for the analysis of creatinine levels done on a Reflotron® chemistry analyser. Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) was computed using an online calculator that followed the MDRD (modification of Diet in Renal Disease) equation. Other socio demographic data were obtained from participants along with their drug combination therapies. Results: Of the 200 study participants, 109 were female. Most of them were between the ages of 19-49 years. There were 4 drug combination therapies that were investigated in this study; (AZT+3TC+EFV- 12.5%, AZT+3TC+NVP-21.5%, TDF+3TC+EFV-43.5%, TDF+3TC+NVP-22.5%) and upon linear regression analysis, none of them had a statistically significant relationship with the eGFR although they seemed to have both a positive and negative correlation with the latter. Conclusion: Combination therapies given to HIV/AIDS patients are safe to use and do not pose as such a significant health risk to kidney damage unless they are poorly prescribed and the patients are not routinely monitored.