Hypophosphataemia: an easy strategy for diagnosis and treatment in HIV patients

Because HIV infection has become a chronic disease, it is crucial that metabolic complications secondary to HIV infection or prolonged therapy be diagnosed and managed appropriately over time. Therefore the optimal follow-up becomes complex and time consuming. Our review aimed to provide physicians in charge of HIV-infected patients with key data helping them to diagnose and understand hypophosphataemia in HIV patients. Hypophosphataemia is frequent and sometimes secondary to renal phosphate wasting. It is very rarely a component of a complex proximal tubular disorder, such as Fanconi syndrome. When isolated, hypophosphataemia is easy to rule out and treat. In rare cases, prolonged hypophosphataemia, when related to renal phosphate wasting and tubular dysfunction, might have potential consequences on bone outcome, however, more studies are needed. HIV infection by itself might be a risk factor for bone metabolism abnormalities; antiretroviral drugs might also be involved. Therefore, it seems valuable for patients that the minimal screening should be performed routinely, in order to prevent long-term disabilities.