Discontinuation of tenofovir due to nephrotoxicity: insight into 12 years of clinical practice

Chronic kidney disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is widely used as the part of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) and may cause renal function impairment. The primary objective of this analysis was to determine the rate of reversibility of kidney dysfunction and factors correlated with eGFR improvement in patients treated with TDF. All patients who discontinued TDF between 2003 and 2015 were screened and included in the study if the reason for withdrawal was nephrotoxicity. Kidney function (eGFR, proteinuria, haematuria) was assessed on treatment and one year after discontinuation. Factors associated with not achieving eGFR recovery one year after discontinuing TDF were assessed. A total of 69 patients out of 1625 screened discontinued TDF due to nephrotoxicity and were included in the analysis. At the end of the study period eGFR (CKD-EPI) improved in 52 (75,4%) patients. The eGFR difference was 11,7 ml/min/1,73m2 (95% CI: 6,0 – 14,5). Two factors were associated with kidney function improvement: the length of TDF treatment and baseline eGFR. Better recovery was observed in patients treated with shorter (difference: 15,6 ml/min/1,73m2, 95% CI: 5,99 – 23,0) and in those with impaired renal function at baseline (difference: 21 ml/min/1,73m2, 95% CI: 11,0 – 27,99). In majority of patients who discontinue TDF therapy, kidney function improves during oneyear period. The drug withdrawal in case of eGFR deterioration should not be postponed.