# Kidney Dysfunction In Young People Living With HIV On Dolutegravir-Based Regimens In Kampala, Uganda

**Authors:** Esther M Nasuuna, Risa Hoffman, Robert Kalyesubula, Chido Dziva Chikwari, Helen A Weiss

PMC · DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9091584/v1 · 2026-03-20

## TL;DR

This study examines kidney health in young HIV-positive individuals in Uganda using dolutegravir-based treatments and finds common kidney issues.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into kidney dysfunction among young HIV patients on dolutegravir-based regimens in Uganda.

## Key findings

- Kidney abnormalities were common among participants on dolutegravir-based regimens.
- Tenofovir/dolutegravir was associated with higher serum creatinine and lower creatinine-based eGFR.
- Longitudinal studies are needed to assess chronic kidney disease risk in this population.

## Abstract

We assessed the association between dolutegravir (DTG)-based antiretroviral therapy and kidney abnormalities among young people living with HIV aged 10–24 years in Kampala, Uganda. In this cross-sectional study, albumin-creatinine ratio (ACR), proteinuria, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were measured. Among 483 participants, 78% received tenofovir (TDF)/DTG. Mean serum creatinine was higher and creatinine-based eGFR lower among those on TDF/DTG, while cystatin C and cystatin C-based eGFR were similar. The prevalence of elevated ACR, proteinuria, and eGFR <90 ml/min/1.73m2 was similar. Kidney abnormalities were common, supporting the need for longitudinal studies to clarify chronic kidney disease risk.

## Linked entities

- **Chemicals:** dolutegravir (PubChem CID 54726191), tenofovir (PubChem CID 464205)
- **Diseases:** chronic kidney disease (MONDO:0005300)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** CST3 (cystatin C) [NCBI Gene 1471] {aka ADLDWA, ARMD11, HEL-S-2}, ALB (albumin) [NCBI Gene 213] {aka FDAHT, HSA, PRO0883, PRO0903, PRO1341}
- **Diseases:** HIV (MESH:D015658), Kidney Dysfunction (MESH:D007674), chronic kidney disease (MESH:D051436), proteinuria (MESH:D011507)
- **Chemicals:** TDF (MESH:D000068698), DTG (MESH:C562325), creatinine (MESH:D003404)
- **Species:** Human immunodeficiency virus 1 (no rank) [taxon 11676]

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC13015607