Abstract
BACKGROUND: HIV infection itself and antiretroviral therapy (ART) can lead to the impaired kidney function that in turn can significantly impact the quality of life and clinical outcomes in people living with HIV. In this study, we evaluated kidney function status in Rwandan people using serum creatinine levels which were lacking in the existing reports. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of kidney impairment in patients infected with HIV attending Kabutare level II teaching hospital in southern Rwanda. METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out on 179 HIV infected and 179 uninfected patients. Weight and height were measured and a blood sample was drawn from each participant for measurement of serum creatinine. Statistical tools were used to determine the association between kidney impairment and participants characteristics. RESULTS: Among the 358 participants, 19% HIV positive and 1.7% HIV uninfected participants had GFR impairment. Gender (χ(2) = 4.566; p = 0.033) and advancing age (χ(2) = 24.991; p < 0.001) were identified as independent predictors for kidney impairment. CONCLUSION: Patients infected with HIV are at higher risk of developing kidney impairment compared to the HIV uninfected. Routine surveillance of kidney function in patients infected with HIV is paramount.