Frequency and associated factors of proteinuria in Iranian HIV-positive patients

Background: Screening HIV-positive patients for proteinuria would result in early recognition of HIV-associated nephropathy (HIVAN). This would allow diagnosis and treatment of HIVAN at an early stage and hence prevent further disease progression. This study was undertaken to determine the frequency of proteinuria and its associated factors in Iranian HIV-positive patients. Methods: In this study, 171 HIV-positive patients were screened for proteinuria. Proteinuria was defined as >= 1+ protein on the urine dipstick. A questionnaire was used to collect patient sociodemographic and clinical data. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV), serum albumin, and creatinine were tested in all patients. CD4 counts were obtained by flow cytometry. Results: Out of 171 HIV-positive patients, 21 (12.3%) had proteinuria. There were no significant differences between patients with and without proteinuria with regard to age, sex, risk behaviors for HIV acquisition, stage of infection, concurrent antiretroviral therapy, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum albumin and creatinine, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and presence of anti-HCV or HBsAg. Patients with proteinuria had a tower CD4 count and creatinine clearance than those without proteinuria. Conclusion: Proteinuria was relatively high in Iranian HIV-positive patients. risk was that of patients with lower CD4 counts and creatinine clearance. (C) 2008 International Society for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd The group at higher All rights reserved.