Prevalence of Kidney Impairment and Mortality Among People Living With Hiv Admitted in a Sub-urban Hospital in Cameroon: A Retrospective Study

Background The risk of kidney disease remains high in HIV-positive people, and kidney disease in people living with HIV (PLHIV) is associated with poor outcomes, including an increase in mortality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of kidney impairment and its associated mortality risk in PLHIV admitted at Buea Regional Hospital (BRH), Cameroon. Methods A 5-year retrospective study was carried out at the BRH. Files of admitted HIV patients aged 18 or older from 01st January 2017 to 31st December 2021 were included. Demographic and clinical data were extracted. Renal function impairment was defined as eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73 m² using MDRD (modification of diet in renal disease) equation. All serum creatinine levels were performed using the colorimetric method. Data were analysed using SPSS (statistical package for the social sciences) version 25. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to identify the association between the presence of kidney impairment and mortality. Statistical significance was set at a p-value < 0.05, with a confidence interval of 95%. Results We included a total of 890 patients, of whom 201 patients had kidney impairment, a prevalence of 26.1% with a male to female ratio of 1.008. The mean age of participants with kidney impairment was higher than those without, 46.8 ± 10.8 years and 42.9.1 ± 12.1 years, respectively (P = 0.001). The mortality rate among patients with kidney disease was statistically significantly higher (34.8%) compared to those without (23.5%). Participants with kidney impairment had statistically significantly higher odds of death during hospitalisation compared to those without kidney impairment (AOR = 1.55, 95% CI 1.04–2.32). Conclusion The prevalence of kidney impairment among admitted HIV-positive patients was considerably high, and the risk of death was higher in patients with kidney impairment compared to those without. These findings should prompt earlier screening, closer monitoring and follow-up of kidney disease among PLHIV.