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ISSN:2682-4043
DOI:10.36462/H.BioSci.202102

Research Article

Open Access

1 Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences

, Kibogora Polytechnic, Rwanda.
2 Biomedical Laboratory Sciences Dept, INES

Ruhengeri-Institute of Applied Sciences,

Rwanda.

Contacts of authors

* To whom correspondence should be
addressed: Yadufashije Callixte

Received: May 30, 2020

Accepted: November 2, 2020

Published: January 16, 2021

Citation: Fulgence M, Joseph M, Callixte Y,
William N . Renal dysfunction among HIV patients
under highly active antiretroviral therapy attending
Kibagabaga district. 2021 Jan 16;4:bs202102

Copyright: © 2021 Fulgence et al.. This is an
open access article distributed under the terms
of the Creative Commons Attribution License,
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and
reproduction in any medium, provided the original
author and source are credited.

Data Availability Statement: All relevant data are
within the paper and supplementary materials.

Funding: The authors have no support or
funding to report.

Competing interests: The authors declare
that they have no competing interests.

Renal dysfunction among HIV patients under highly active antiretro-
viral therapy attending Kibagabaga district

Munyandamutsa Fulgence1, Mucumbitsi Joseph2, Yadufashije Callixte*2, Niyonzima
William2

Abstract
Antiretroviral therapy is used for the suppression of the HIV virus and stops its progres-

sion to cause disease. Despite its role, it has the pathophysiologic effect to kidney function
for users. The study was conducted to evaluate the renal function for HIV patients under
highly active antiretroviral therapy at Kibagabaga District Hospital. Venous blood samples
(4mL) were collected by vein puncture in phlebotomy services by means of the dry tubes
from 170 patients under antiretroviral therapy. Blood samples were transported to clinical
biochemistry department for analysis. Rotor centrifuge was used to separate the serum and
other blood components; creatinine level was analysed for renal function analysis. The total
of 170 HIV patients were considered in the study. Of the 170, 50 HIV patients were used
for primary data collection, while 120 HIV patients who previously received antiretroviral
therapy were considered as secondary data collection source. The patients between 25-45
years old have experienced the highest level of abnormal concentration of renal tests 25%,
patients with above 45 years old was ranked the second to have the abnormal level (14.2%).
Females were 59% and have experienced the high risk of renal dysfunction than males,
the level of glomerular filtration rate was 67 (39.4%), and was higher than creatinine 42
(24.7%). Antiretroviral therapy has a negative effect on kidneys. Abnormalities of the
kidney parameters were prevalently high among both male and female. The serious follow
is needed for this vulnerable population.

Keywords: Renal function, HIV, HAART, Estimated glomerular filtration rate

Introduction
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection mostly provoke acute or chronic renal proximal

renal tubule resulting in functional disturbance with mitochondrial injury being one of the most

important targets [1]. It results to the failure of excretory functions of kidney, which is disease and

people are living longer. HIV infection negative side effects might lead to the heart, lungs, and renal

diseases, which could cause high mortality among HIV patients. Africa endures greater than 60%

of the global burden of HIV, however, characterized by decrease in glomerular filtration rate [2].

The advances in development of Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is a high risk to the

development of the serious renal disease in developed world with very few studies done in developing

world [3]. Kidney function has been estimated to be abnormal up to 30% of all HIV patients. Few

outpatient renal screening studies from Africa describe varying prevalence from as low 6% to a high

of 50% [4]. The dysfunction of the kidney is medical kidney abnormality where this important organ

gets impairment for the filtration of wastes from blood [5]. Nephropathy is one of the complications

characterizing the kidney dysfunction for HIV patients [6]. Kidney disease was clinically diagnosed

considering the presence of albuminuria but also low estimated glomerular filtration rate [7]. Some

antiretroviral agents can cause serious side effects that affect multiple systems; including the kidneys

Tenofovir (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) and this could be associated with development of the acute

renal failure (ARF) and the dysfunction of proximal and distal tubules [8].

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Fulgence et al., 2021 Renal dysfunction among HIV patients under antiretroviral therapy

The first described patient who was treated with tenofovir
and developed reversible Fanconi syndrome, nephrogenic dia-
betes insipidus and ARF, Renal biopsy demonstrated cytoplasmic
vacuolization, apical localization of nuclei and reduction of the
brush border on proximal tubule epithelial cells [9].

Materials and Methods
Study area description

The study was conducted at Kibagabaga district hospital.
Kibagabaga district hospital is located in Kigali city, Nyaru-
genge district; the hospital receives the referred patients from 16
health centers of Nyarugenge from neighbouring health canters
in Gasabo and kicukiro.

Study design
Both cross-sectional and retrospective study design were used.

The study was carried out from October to December 2019.

Study population and sample size
All HIV patients under highly active antiretroviral therapy

attending Kibagabaga District hospital during the period will be
targeted by the study. However, only patients who were not HIV
positive did not participate. The population size was 170; the
sample size was determined by the number of eligible patients
who attended the Hospital and accepted to participate in the study
during the period of the study.

Collection of stool sample
Blood samples were collected with phlebotomy and biochem-

istry SOPs support. The patients were placed in a comfortable
seat and requested to remove sleeves from the part of the arm.
Phlebotomist finds the arm with visible fuller vein. A stretched
band tourniquet was placed around the upper arm to help the vein
bloat. The place for injection was then whipped with cotton after
being soaked in the antiseptic solution. The needle was slightly
inserted into the swollen vein and around 4ml of blood were
collected by the help of a seal dry test tube. Specimen containers
or collection devices was labelled with the patient record number
was recorded along with the date of birth to avoid bias and errors
in laboratory results.

Sample processing
The sample collection and processing were done according

to Kibagabaga District Hospital laboratory SOPs, the tubes con-
taining blood was taken to clinical biochemistry department. The
collected blood specimen was clotted for 15 min before centrifu-
gation at 3000 rpm for 5 minutes using a rotor centrifuge for
separation of serum and other blood components. Creatinine
level was analysed for renal function by using automated bio-
chemistry machines (Architecture machine or Cobasc311), the
Cobas C311.

Data analysis
After data collection, the SPSS version 23.0 program and

excel 2016 was used for data analysis. To compare variables and
association between renal function in HIV patients under HAART
and its clinical manifestastion unduced by this medication,and
prevalence

Ethical considerations
This study was conducted after obtaining an ethical approval

from Kibogora Polytechnic research committee. In addition, the
authorization was requested from Kibagabaga District hospital,
Clinical research and office of education before conducting this
research. The purpose of research project, sample collection
procedures, as well as confidentiality of research results was
explained to participants. Participation was voluntarily after
understanding the aim and expect outcome of research. There
was no expected risks that can threaten the lives of participants.

Results
Social demographic characteristics of study population

In this study the social demographic characteristics of the
study population were established to characterize the population,
Table 1 indicates the analysis which was done on 170 HIV paa-
tients under highly active antiretroviral therapy from Kibagabaga
district Hospital in a period of 3 mounths. Table 1 reveals the
different parameters with renal function tests such as age group,
gender, period, clinical manifestation and weight. The high fre-
quency was observed in the age group between 25-45 years old.
The number of females stood at 62%, mouth ulcers predominated
the clinical manifestations with percentage of 29.4% followed
by memory loss at 25%. Over weight patients stood at 6.5%
while 38.8% was in normal ranges. Table 2 shows the range of
of creatinine and Glomerular filtration rate level according sex.

Clinical analyses
In this study the creatinine level and glomerular filtration rate

showed the high prevalence of abnormal results in males with
14.5% and 39.4 respectively. Cross sectional and retrospective
studies were assessed and shown in Table 3; the majority of
patients were females with 28 (56%) and 22 (44%) were males.
Moreover, in retrospective 29 (58%) were females and 22 (18.3%)
were males. Table 4 shows diagnosed patients based on clinical
symptoms associated to renal dysfunction in HIV patients; the
majority of patients was those with mouth ulcers 50 (28.6%)
followed by memory loss with 43 (24.6%).

Discussion
This study analysed biochemical parameters of HIV patients

under highly active antiretroviral therapy, this medication leads to
the serious side effects including kidney failure for patients under
those medications. This study considered the level of creatinine
and estimation of glomerular filtration rate as tests to confirm the
renal function of HIV patients under highly active antiretroviral
therapy.

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Fulgence et al., 2021 Renal dysfunction among HIV patients under antiretroviral therapy

Table 1. Number of patients participated in the study and their corresponding
gender, age, clinical manifestation, weight and period.

Parameter Variables Frequency Percentages %

Age groups [5-25] Years 13 9.6

[25-45] Years 93 54.7

Above 45 Years 64 37.6

Sex Males 64 38

Females 106 62

Period 2018 retrospective 70 41.2

2019 prospective 50 29.4

2019 retrospective 50 29.4

Clinical manifestation Night sweats 18 10.6

Weight loss 19 11.2

Depression 40 23.5

Mouth ulcers 50 29.4

memory loss 43 25.3

Weight 40-60 kg 38 22.4

60-80 kg 66 38.8

80-100 kg 55 32.4

Above 100 kg 11 6.5

Total 170 100

Table 2. Number of patients participate the study and their corresponding
results according to gender.

State Creatinine level (Mg/dl) eGFR (Ml/min)

Females Males Total Females Males Total

Normal 92 (54.1) 36 (21.2) 128 (75.3) 7 2(38.4) 31 (22.2) 103 (60.6)

Abnormal 17 (10.2) 25 (14.5) 42 (24.7) 32 (16.1) 35 (23.3) 67 (39.4)

Table 3. Prevalence of abnormal Creatinine and EGFR according to age and
gender in suspected patients at KDH, where the creatinine (kg/dl) (A), EGFR
(ml/min)(B), and Prevalence (%)(C) are shown.

Groups Variables Cross sectional study N (50) Retrospective study N (120)

(A) (B) (C) (A) (B) (C)

Age groups 5-25 1 (2) 1 (2) 8% 0 (0) 2 (1.6) 13%

25-45 6 (12) 11 (22) 68% 15 (12.5) 22 (18.3) 25%

Above 45 2 (4) 3 (6) 2% 17 (14.1) 28 (23.3) 14.20%

Gender Females 20 (40) 28 (56) 48% 16 (13.3) 29 (58) 59%

Males 22 (44) 14 (28) 36% 17 (14.1) 22 (18.3) 27%

Table 4. Clinical Manifestation and their associated abnormal level of renal
test.

The frequency (%) of occurrence of symptoms The frequency (% ) of renal dysfunction

Clinical manifestation Frequency (%) Abnormal creatinine Abnormal EGFR

Nigth sweats 18 (10.3%) 6 (3.5%) 7 (4.1%)

Weight loss 19 (10.9%) 9 (5.2%) 9 (5.2%)

Depression 40 (22.9) 5 (2.9%) 13 (7.6%)

Mouth ulcers 50 (28.6) 14 (8.2%) 25 (14.7%)

Memory loss 43 (24.6%) 9 (5.2%) 13 (.6%)

Among 170 suspected patients, 64(38%) were males and 106
(62%) females. The mean age of the population was 56.6, and

the standard deviation of age was 40.5. 54.7% of patients were
in the age range of [25-45] Years, and were the majority in the
study participants. this age is at high risk because of the habit of
doing unprotected sex than elderly age. After testing creatinine
level and Egfr the results showed the normal females 38.4% and
23.3% males with abnormal eGFR level and abnormal creatinine
respectively. The study conducted on active antiretroviral therapy
among HIV patients shows no difference with the current study
since it revealed the high Glomerular filtration rate (EGFR) and
creatinine in females than males under highly active antiretroviral
therapy [12] The patients who had positive test results with crea-
tinine and eGFR for cross-section study, the findings show that
the majority of patients were females with 28(56%) and 22(44%)
were males. Moreover, in the retrospective 29(58%) were fe-
males and 22 (18.3%) were males. In addition, the prevalence of
renal dysfunction was high in old age in females. these results
were comparable to the findings of Willems and his colleagues
[13], we estimated the prevalence of eGFR and mortality risks
in a population-based study of persons aged 85 years and older,
based on these results.

The patients were diagnosed based on clinical symptoms
associated with renal function of HIV patients. The majority
of patients induced the mouth ulcers 50 (28.6) than other clin-
ical manifestation. The results showed that there is significant
relationship between the most of clinical manifestation and re-
nal function of HIV patients under highly active antiretroviral
therapy. The similar findings were reported where self-reported
strategies used by persons living with HIV/AIDS and their clini-
cal manifestation induced by ART such us moth ulcers, weight
loss and other opportunist infections were described [14].

Conclusions
The study confirmed the effect of antiretroviral therapy on

kidneys where the abnormalities of creatinine and eGFR were
more prevalent 59% and 27% in both females and males respec-
tively. It is a paramount action of treating patients to enhance the
longevity even if renal dysfunction may occur. All HIV patients
under retroviral therapy should be followed up to maintain the
normal function of the kidneys.

Acknowledgement
We are with pleasure to thank Kibagabaga distict hospital’s

authorities to allow the study to be conducted in the hospital
facilities and their abundant generosity. In addition, we once
again address our thanks to Kibogora Polytechnic for its vision
of promoting research not only in the region but also all over the
world.

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	Abstract
	Introduction
	Materials and Methods
	Study area description
	Study design
	Data analysis
	Ethical considerations

	Results
	Social demographic characteristics of study population
	Clinical analyses 

	Discussion
	Conclusions
	Acknowledgement
	References

