HIV linked to increased fracture prevalence

Fractures may be more prevalent in patients with HIV, according to recent data.

Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital and other sites in Boston conducted a population-based study to determine the difference in fracture risk among patients with HIV (n=8,525) and those not infected (n=2,208,792).

Patients had at least one inpatient or outpatient event between October 1, 1996 and March 21, 2008.

Fracture prevalence was higher among patients with HIV, compared with those not infected (2.87 vs. 1.77 patients with fractures per 100 persons; P<.0001). Women with HIV had a higher prevalence of fractures than women not infected (2.49 vs. 1.72 per 100 persons; P=.002).

Compared with women not infected, women with HIV had a higher prevalence of vertebral (0.45 vs. 0.81; P=.01) and wrist fractures (0.83 vs. 1.31; P=.01). However, the prevalence of hip fracture was similar between women with HIV and those not infected (0.47 vs. 0.56; P=.53).

Similarly, men with HIV had a higher prevalence of fractures than men not infected (3.08 vs. 1.83; P<.0001). Infected men also had a higher prevalence of vertebral (1.03 vs. 0.49; P<.0001), wrist (1.46 vs. 0.99; P=.001) and hip fractures (0.79 vs. 0.45; P=.001).

Based on their findings, the researchers suggested bone mineral density be assessed in patients with HIV.

J Clin Endorinol Metab. 2008;doi:10.1210/jc.2008-0828