Prevalence of microalbuminuria and associated factors among HIV − infected ART naïve patients at Mulago hospital: a cross-sectional study in Uganda

Abstract Background HIV infection affects multiple organs and the kidney is a common target making renal disease, one of the recognized complications. Microalbuminuria represents an early, important marker of kidney damage in several populations including HIV-infected antiretroviral therapy (ART) naïve patients. Early detection of microalbuminuria is critical to slowing down progression to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in HIV-infected patients, however, the burden of microalbuminuria in HIV-infected antiretroviral therapy (ART) naïve patients in Uganda is unclear. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Mulago Immune suppression syndrome (ISS) clinic among adult HIV − infected ART naïve outpatients. Data on patient demographics, medical history was collected. Physical examination was performed to assess body mass index (BMI) and hypertension. A single spot morning urine sample from each participant was analysed for microalbuminuria using spectrophotometry and colorimetry. Microalbuminuria was defined by a urine albumin creatinine ratio (UACR) 30-299 mg/g and macroalbuminuria by a UACR > 300 mg/g. To assess the factors associated with microalbuminuria, chi-square, Fisher’s exact test, quantile regression and logistic regression were used. Results A total of 185 adult participants were consecutively enrolled with median age and CD4+ counts of 33(IQR = 28–40) years and 428 (IQR = 145–689) cells/μL respectively. The prevalence of microalbuminuria was 18.9% (95% CI, 14–25%). None of the participants had macroalbuminuria. CD4+ count