Electrolyte disorders and renal dysfunction in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients

A total of 81 Latino and African American patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in an innercity hospital were studied retrospectively to determine the frequency of electrolyte disorders and renal dysfunction in this syndrome. Of these 81 patients, 28.4% had hyponatremia, 17.3% had hypokalemia, and 4.9% had hyperkalemia without renal failure. Five (6.2%) patients had renal failure; four of these were Latino. The results confirm that electrolyte abnormalities are a common feature of AIDS and that Latino patients are also susceptible to AIDS-associated nephropathy.