The Prevalence and Clinical Features of HIV-Associated Nephropathy Among Patients Attending Mulago Hospital

Abstract

Some degree of Renal dysfunction referred to as HIV-Associated Nephropathy has been described in 10-33% Patints with Acquired Immuno-deficiency in the U.S.A. A specific Etiology is identified in only 30% and mostly represents a cute tabular Necrosis while in the rest the dysfunction presents as a Nephrotic range Proteinuria(80-90%), Microalbuminuria(10-20%) and Cocurent azotaemia in 3% with Rapid progression to end Stage Renal Disease, Renal failure and death within a period of 6-12 month. The latter, called Classic HIVAN, Presents histologically as focal segmental glomerulosclerosis with glomerular and tubular epithelial Cellular damage. Evidence for a direct HIV role in the etiology of a specific glomerulonephritis is based on studies in Europe and U.S.A. HIVAN is not unknown in Uganda clinical practice. The clinical presentation and magnitude of the problem in this country however remains unclear