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Comprehensive & Cost Effective Laboratory Monitoring of HIV/AIDS: an African Role Model
Published on: October 31, 2010
Microalbuminuria among HIV/AIDS patients in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Ousman Mohammed1, Habtu Debash2, Melaku Ashagrie Belete2
1Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia. ousmanabum@gmail.com.
Background:
Over the past decade, the incidence of chronic kidney disease among HIV-seropositive people has increased at an alarming rate. Microalbuminuria is believed to be a precursor of HIV-related renal disease; early detection with intervention may prevent end-stage renal disease. Therefore, the current study was aimed at determining the pooled prevalence of microalbuminuria among HIV patients in Africa.
Methods:
We accessed Google Scholar, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, the Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate to get the original research articles. We employed the I² and Cochran's Q test to assess the presence of heterogeneity between studies. Publication bias was checked by using a funnel plot and Egger's regression test. The pooled prevalence was estimated using the random-effects model. We ran the sensitivity analysis to see if there were outlier results in the included studies. Moreover, subgroup analysis was also done.
Results:
The current meta-analysis includes 16 studies with 3588 individuals. In Africa, the overall pooled prevalence of microalbuminuria in both adults and children was 22.25% (95% CI 17.38-27.13; I2 = 92.6). Microalbuminuria was observed to be 23.32% (95% CI: 17.36-29.29) in adult study groups and 20.72% (95% CI: 11.85-29.56) in children. Female HIV/AIDS patients exhibited a higher pooled prevalence of microalbuminuria (22.68% (95% CI: 7.43-37.94)) than male HIV/AIDS patients (15.84% (95% CI: 7.28-24.39)). Furthermore, the overall estimates of microalbuminuria among ART users and non-users were 22.32% (95% CI: 13.00-31.63) and 19.41% (95% CI: 14.88-23.94), respectively.
Conclusion:
The present review study found that over one-fourth of HIV-infected patients had microalbuminuria, indicating a considerable burden of subclinical kidney disease. Therefore, HIV patients need to be screened early for microalbuminuria to prevent further renal complications.
Protocol Registration:
It has been registered in the PROSPERO database with a registration number of CRD42023446664.
Clinical Trial Number:
Not applicable.
Insights
Microalbuminuria, an early sign of kidney disease, affects over one-fourth of HIV patients in Africa. Early screening for this condition in HIV-infected individuals is crucial for preventing advanced renal complications.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Chronic kidney disease incidence is rising among HIV-seropositive individuals.
- Microalbuminuria is a key precursor to HIV-related renal disease.
- Early detection and intervention can prevent end-stage renal disease.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the pooled prevalence of microalbuminuria among HIV patients in Africa.
- To provide data for early detection and intervention strategies.
- To highlight the burden of subclinical kidney disease in this population.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate).
- Heterogeneity was assessed using I² and Cochran's Q test; publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger's regression test.
- A random-effects model was used to estimate pooled prevalence, with sensitivity and subgroup analyses performed.
Main Results:
- The meta-analysis included 16 studies with 3588 participants.
- The overall pooled prevalence of microalbuminuria in African HIV patients (adults and children) was 22.25%.
- Prevalence was higher in females (22.68%) than males (15.84%) and similar between ART users (22.32%) and non-users (19.41%).
Conclusions:
- Over one-fourth of HIV-infected patients exhibit microalbuminuria, indicating a significant burden of subclinical kidney disease.
- Routine screening for microalbuminuria in HIV patients is recommended.
- Early identification can mitigate the risk of progressive renal complications.
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