The Evaluation of Risk Factors Related to Reduced Bone Mineral Density in Young People Living with HIV

Background: Low bone mineral density (BMD) is one of the comorbidities that develop in people living with HIV (PLWHIV).

Objective: This study was conducted to review the frequency and risk factors of reduced BMD according to age in HIV-infected patients in Turkey.

Material And Method: This retrospective cohort study included HIV-infected patients aged 18-50. Bone density was analysed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) according to the Z-score in three different regions including the lumbar, total-hip and femoral-neck.

Results: The study included 224 PLWHIV with a mean age of 35.84-7.54, and 59.8% were ART naive. Of the patients, 40.6% had lower BMD than expected at least in one of the three examined regions including the lumbar, total hip and femoral neck. The low BMD ratios were found respectively as 11.6%, 11.6% and 28.6% in the femoral neck, total hip and lumbar regions. According to the logistic regression model, a high body mass index (p=0.003) and HIV-RNA level of ≥100.000IU/ml during the diagnosis in the ART-naive group (p=0.008) were associated with reduced bone demineralization. The low BMD frequency was high in the group that received ART for <24 months (p=0.001).

Conclusion: Performing bone demineralization screening in the naive and young patient group, independently from ART status prior to making the diagnosis of HIV is important for organizing the bone health improvement methods.