High rate of reversibility of renal damage in a cohort of HIV-infected patients receiving tenofovir-containing antiretroviral therapy

We assessed the progress of renal damage after discontinuation of tenofovir (TDF) in patients who started therapy with normal renal parameters. Normal local reference values were as follows: estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation (MDRD), ⩾60 mL/min/1.73 m2; creatinine, ⩽1.20 mg/dL; serum phosphate: ⩾2.69 mg/dL; proteinuria: <30 mg/dL, and glycosuria: <20 mg/dL in nondiabetic patients. A logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate factors related to normalization of renal function.We included 183 patients; 85% were male, and median (IQR) age was 44 (40–50) years. Time on TDF was 39 (22–63) months. After 22 (13–49.5) months from TDF discontinuation, renal parameters returned to normal values in 59% of patients, improved (without reaching normal values) in 9.8%, and did not improve in 31%. Median time until normalization was 4 (2–15.75) months, and time to maximum improvement in patients whose values did not return to normal was 14 (8.75–27.75) months. Follow-up was <12 months in 30% of the patients who did not improve. The only factors significantly associated with normalization of renal parameters were nadir CD4 T-cell count (p = 0.034; OR = 1.002, per 1 cell of increase) and CD4 T-cell count at the end of therapy with TDF (p = 0.030; OR = 1.033, per 1 cell of increase). Reversibility of renal damage was prompt and complete in 59% of patients receiving TDF-containing regimens and was associated with a higher nadir and current CD4+ T-cell count, suggesting a role of preserved cellular immunity in renal recovery in this population.

► Scare data are available about the recovery of TDF-related renal toxicity.
► Evolution of renal parameters after tenofovir discontinuation was evaluated.
► Renal recovery was usually complete and associated with high CD4 T-cell counts.