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| | | ![]() Poor Kidney Function Common Among HIV-Infected Injection Drug Users WASHINGTON, DC -- August 12, 2010 -- Poor kidney function is common among injection drug users, particularly those with HIV, according to a study published early online and appearing in an upcoming issue of the Clinical Journal of the American Society Nephrology. The results suggest that clinicians should monitor the kidney function of HIV-infected injection drug users and consider them candidates for medical treatments to protect their kidneys when appropriate. While little information is available about the burden of kidney disease in injection drug users, this population's drug use, higher prevalence of viral hepatitis, and poor access to medical care may increase the risk of kidney disease. To investigate the issue, Shruti H Mehta, PhD, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, and colleagues analysed the presence of proteinuria in HIV-positive and HIV-negative injection drug users. Researchers analysed information from 902 injection drug users who were predominantly African American, 273 of whom were infected with HIV. Of the patients, 24.8% had proteinuria and prevalence was 2.9 times higher among HIV-infected individuals (45%) compared with uninfected individuals (16%). HIV infection, unemployment, increased age, diabetes, hepatitis C infection, and high blood pressure were linked to a higher prevalence of proteinuria. Because proteinuria can lead to kidney failure and increases one's risk of developing cardiovascular disease, clinicians should aggressively screen HIV-infected injection drug users for proteinuria and consider them candidates for medical treatments that protect the heart and kidneys. SOURCE: American Society of Nephrology
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