title: Renal disease: the effects of HIV and antiretroviral therapy and the implications for early antiretroviral therapy initiation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This review will summarize the relevant literature supporting the early initiation of antiretroviral therapy among persons with HIV and kidney disease.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Recent guidelines support the initiation of antiretroviral therapy among persons with HIVAN as soon as the diagnosis of kidney disease is made. However, few patients with HIV and kidney disease undergo renal biopsy to determine the histology of their renal lesion. Observational studies, however, suggest that antiretroviral therapy is associated with a lesser risk of new AIDS defining illness and mortality associated with the presence of proteinuria or increased creatinine. These abnormalities are seen in a larger proportion of persons with HIV than only those that undergo biopsy. Therefore, these markers could describe the subgroup of patients at highest risk of poor outcomes and potentially prompt the consideration of earlier initiation of therapy on an individual basis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy probably improves outcomes among persons with HIVAN. The presence of proteinuria or an elevated creatinine could prompt consideration for early initiation of antiretroviral therapy on a case-by-case basis.
authors.affiliation: Duke University Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Division of Nephrology, Box 3646, Durham, NC 27710, USA. szcze001@mc.duke.edu
authors.forename: Lynda Anne
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Szczech
mesh_terms: D016263:AIDS-Associated Nephropathy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents