Posts
French researchers report that
HIV-infected women are more likely to develop osteoporosis—reduced bone mineral
density—if they also have hepatitis B or C. Previous studies have documented
high prevalence of osteoporosis among HIV-infected people, perhaps due to
smoking, aging, HIV infection, or antiretroviral drug use. Research has also
confirmed a high rate of osteoporosis—up to 56 percent—among people with
chronic liver disease. Since many HIV-infected people also have hepatitis B or
C, the French study examined whether co-infection increased the prevalence of
osteopenia (mild reduction in bone mineral density) or osteoporosis in men and
women.
The study recruited 626 HIV-infected
people, from 2004 to 2005 and from 2008 to 2009, for bone density scans of the
lumbar spine, hip, and total body. Most participants had an undetectable viral
load. Of the 269 group participants who were co-infected with hepatitis, 208
had hepatitis C, 45 had hepatitis B, and 16 had both B and C. The median age of
study participants was 44, and females comprised more than a quarter of
participants (27 percent).
There was little difference in the
rates of osteopenia among HIV-infected people and people who had both HIV and
hepatitis, but the prevalence of osteoporosis was higher for co-infected
people. Osteoporosis risk factors for men included age, sexual activity with
other men, and lower body mass index (BMI). Co-infection with hepatitis was not
associated with increased risk. In contrast, age, lower BMI, and co-infection
with hepatitis increased the risk of osteoporosis for co-infected women.
Researchers advised healthcare providers to include preventive measures to
reduce “BMI decline” and risk of fracture for co-infected women.
The full report, “Chronic Viral
Hepatitis is Associated with Low Bone Mineral Density in HIV-infected Patients,
ANRS CO 3 Aquitaine Cohort,” was published online in the Journal of Acquired
Immune Deficiency Syndromes (2013; doi: 10.1097/QAI.0b013e3182845d88).
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
