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Young men on ART for HIV at risk for low bone mass
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Data from a recent study suggest that young men receiving antiretroviral therapy for HIV are more likely to experience low bone mass than other men of their age.
According to background information in the study, those with HIV often have low bone mineral density, and the use of ART is a risk factor. Studies have also shown that this risk is greater in men with HIV compared with women. For this study, researchers of the Adolescent Trials Network (ATN) study 021B evaluated the effects of HIV and ART on bone density in young men with HIV and seronegative controls.
The cross-sectional study included 199 HIV-positive young men aged 14 to 25 years who were enrolled between April 2006 and July 2007. Fifty-three HIV-negative controls were also included. The men with HIV were recruited based on current use of ART: ART-naive, ART regimen containing a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor for 3 or more months, or an ART regimen including a protease inhibitor for 3 or more months. The men all underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans of the left hip, spine and whole body.
Both total body bone mineral density and the z scores for total bone mineral content differed among groups. Men who were in the protease inhibitor group had lower total body bone mineral density than seronegative men and the ART-naive men. Both groups on ART had lower total body bone mineral content z scores than the seronegative controls.
“Although the clinical significance and potential impact on peak bone mass and subsequent fracture risk are not known and will require longitudinal studies, risk reduction through changes in diet and lifestyle is warranted,” the researchers wrote.
For more information:
- Mulligan K. Clin Infect Dis. 2012;doi:10.1093/cid/cis455.
Disclosure:
- The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.