Long-term renal survival in HIV-associated nephropathy with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated nephropathy (HIVAN) is the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in HIV-infected patients. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition has previously shown a short-term benefit in HIVAN. This study examines the long-term effects of ACE inhibition on renal survival in HIVAN.

In this single-center prospective cohort study, 44 patients with biopsy-proven HIVAN were enrolled prior to the onset of severe renal insufficiency (serum creatinine

Median renal survival of treated patients was 479.5 days, with only one patient developing ESRD. All untreated controls progressed to ESRD, with a median renal survival of 146.5 days (P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences between treatment and control groups in age, significant exposure to antiretroviral therapy, defined as >or=two antiviral drugs for >or=30 consecutive days, CD4 lymphocyte count, initial median serum creatinine concentration, or proteinuria. Risk of renal failure was reduced with ACE inhibitors (RR = 0.003, P < 0.0001). Exposure to antiretroviral therapy did not have a significant impact on the risk of renal failure. Of the ACE inhibitor-treated group, 87.5% survived compared with 21.4% of the control group (P < 0.001).

ACE inhibition initiated prior to severe renal insufficiency may offer long-term renal survival benefits in HIVAN. Diagnosis should be sought early in patients with clinical signs suggestive of HIVAN.