Private MD News
Home |
News |
Kidney Diseases
Study: HIV-positive drug users need kidney testing
Updated: 2010-08-13 22:08:57 CST Category: Kidney Diseases
Health officials are urging HIV infected injection drug users to seek kidney testing following the results of a recent study that show that these individuals often have poor kidney function. The study suggests that careful monitoring of these individuals may be necessary.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University analyzed the medical records of 902 confirmed injection drug users. They found that 45 percent of HIV-positive individuals had kidney disease, while only 16 percent of those who were not infected had the kidney ailment.
Shruti Mehta, who led the investigation, said that the issues of HIV and drug use are intertwined because they share many of the contributing factors, and can exponentially compound the likelihood of kidney disease.
Mehta said that doctors should offer kidney testing to all of their patients who use drugs or are HIV-positive, as this may lessen the burden on the public health system by reducing the chances that they will need dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Each year, fewer than 900 individuals receive kidney transplants, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing, underscoring the importance of prevention.

Related Articles from Private MD:
Share on Facebook
Subscribe to Private MD Health News RSS Feed: 
News Categories:
Advanced Lipid Treatment I
Allergy Testing
Anemia and RBC disorders
Autoimmune Diseases
Bariatric Lab Testing
Blood and Blood Diseases
Breast
Cancer Detection and Tumor Markers
Celiac Disease Testing
Chlamydia
Coagulation and blood clotting disorders
Colon
Diabetes
DNA, Paternity and Genetic testing
Drug Screening
Environmental Toxin Testing
Female Specific Tests
Gastrointestinal Diseases
General Health
General Wellness
Heart Health and Cholesterol
Herpes
HIV
HIV monitoring/Treatment/Testing/Post Diagnos
Hormones and Metabolism
Infectious Diseases
Infertility Testing-Male
Infertitlity Hormone Testing
Kidney Diseases
Leukemia and WBC disorders
Liver
Liver Diseases
Lyme Disease
Male Specific Tests
Menopause/Peri-Menopausal Diagnosis
Organ Specific Testing
Ovarian
Prostate
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Thyroid Diseases
Vitamin D Deficiency-Diagnosis and Treatment
Visit the Health News Archive: Click Here
Questions about online blood testing or how to order a lab test? Click
here to get started or call us toll-free at
1.877.283.7882. Our certified professionals are ready to assist
you.