ABSTRACT

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a spectrum of disease states

characterised by progressive immunosuppression. It results from infection with

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) which is capable of affecting every

organ system in the body. Renal complications are important component of

advanced HIV disease, and these complications significantly contribute to

morbidity and mortality in these patients. Therefore regular assessment of their

renal status using sensitive markers such as Creatinine Clearance (CrCl)

together with serum electrolytes, creatinine, urea and uric acid is necessary.

The objective of this study was therefore to assess the renal function, determine

the appropriate assessment parameters and the prevalence of renal disease

among HIV/AIDS patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in

ABUTH, Zaria. Renal function of 101 HIV positive patients on HAART and

100 controls was assessed. The data obtained were analysed using statistical

programme for the social sciences 11.0 (SPSS 11.0).Two-tailed student׳s t-test

for matched samples and Pearson’s linear correlation statistical methods were

employed for the analysis. A p-value of equal to or less than 0.05 (p≤ 0.05) was

considered as statistically significant.

Mean levels of Na+, K+, HCO3-, Cl-, Ca2+ and PO42- obtained in patients were 138.97±0.43, 3.83±0.05, 25.28±0.26, 100.02±0.42, 2.62±0.03 and 1.21±0.03 mmol/L respectively, whereas the corresponding values in controls were 138.84±0.26, 3.96±0.04, 25.78±0.16, 98.90±0.35, 2.31±0.02 and 1.22±0.02 mmol/L respectively. These results showed that K+ was significantly lower (p< 0.05) while C