HIV Patients at Elevated Risk for Kidney Disease and Heart Disease

Those living with HIV are at an increased risk for both chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to data published in PLoS One. Researchers analyzed disease risk factors for 27,215 HIV-positive men and women as part of the Data Collection on Adverse Events of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D) study. Results showed a strong relationship between CVD and CKD risk, with those at high risk for CVD having a 5.6-fold increased risk for CKD and those at high risk for CKD having a 1.3-fold increased risk for CVD, compared with those at low risk. The authors suggest that clinicians simultaneously assess risk factors for cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease in HIV-positive patients. Other health improvements associated with disease prevention, such as blood pressure control, may prove particularly effective for this population.

The Physicians Committee offers several free continuing education courses on HIV and nutrition via NutritionCME: https://www.nutritioncme.org/course-catalog/hiv-aids.