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Does HAART improve renal function? An association between serum cystatin C concentration, HIV viral load and HAART

Jerzy Jaroszewicz1, Alicja Wiercinska-Drapalo, Tadeusz W Lapinski

  • 1Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.

Antiviral Therapy
|September 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Serum cystatin C is elevated in HIV infection, indicating potential kidney dysfunction. Long-term antiretroviral therapy (ART) may reduce cystatin C levels, suggesting improved kidney function in HIV patients.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • HIV Medicine

Background:

  • Renal disease affects 2-10% of HIV-infected individuals.
  • Antiretroviral (ARV) therapy can slow the progression of HIV-related kidney disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine serum cystatin C levels in different stages of HIV infection.
  • To investigate the relationship between cystatin C and ARV treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Serum cystatin C measured in 77 HIV-1 infected and 18 HIV-seronegative individuals.
  • Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study formula.

Main Results:

  • HIV infection significantly increased serum cystatin C (933.4 vs 621.1 ng/ml, P < 0.001).
  • Serum cystatin C correlated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) duration (P=0.04) and HIV viral load (P=0.04).
  • No significant differences in urea, creatinine, or GFR were observed between groups.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated serum cystatin C in HIV may indicate mild renal dysfunction.
  • Serum cystatin C is associated with HIV viral load.
  • Long-term HAART may decrease cystatin C, potentially improving renal function.
Abstract

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