ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: There is an association not yet known, between high levels of HIV-1 RNA and HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). There is also a barely known association between HIV-1 RNA levels and HIV-associated glomerular disease. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between high HIV-1 RNA levels and alterations in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in patients with HIV infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective trial involving 198 seropositive HIV patients. three groups were formed: 53 patients with abnormal GFR (group I); 48 patients with proteinuria greater than 300 mg and less than 1 g in 24 h urine collection and/or with urinary cast (group 2); and 87 patients without nephropathy (group 3). We carried out comparative analysis for the most common factors associated with nephropathy in HIV seropositive patients. RESULTS: Within factors associated with nephropathy, only RNA-HIV-1 plasma levels had a statistically significant association with altered GFR. (p = 0.008). CONCLUSION: High levels of HIV-1 RNA are associated with initial forms of HIV- associated glomerulopathy, which do not have a rapid course to end- stage renal disease, but that do cause glomerular dysfunction, that could be subjected to early interventions.
