Elevated Fracture Risk Seen With HIV Infection

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I am yet to see doctors prescribe DEXA scans to HIV patients

Elevated Fracture Risk Seen With HIV Infection

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) Sept 11 - The results of a population-based study suggest that HIV-infected patients are at increased risk for a variety of fractures compared with their non-infected counterparts.

HIV infection has been linked to a reduction in bone mineral density, but whether this translated into an increased fracture risk was unclear, Dr. K. Grinspoon, from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, and colleagues note in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism for September.

The study "is the largest investigation to date to compare fracture rates in HIV-infected patients with those of non-infected controls," Dr. Grinspoon said in a statement. The results suggest that "we should screen HIV-infected patients, both men and women, for low bone density as they age."

The study involved 8525 HIV-infected patients and over 2 million non-infected patients in the Boston area who were seen as an inpatient or outpatient between October 1, 1996 and March 21, 2008.

Overall, 2.87 fractures per 100 persons were noted in the HIV group compared with 1.77 in the control group (p < 0.0001).

In women, HIV infection was associated with a higher prevalence of fractures in general (2.49 vs. 1.72 per 100 persons) as well as those involving the vertebrae (0.81 vs. 0.45) and wrist (1.31 vs. 0.83) in particular. HIV infection, by contrast, did not affect the risk of hip fractures.

In men, HIV infection increased the prevalence of overall fracture (3.08 vs. 1.83 per 100 persons) and the rates of vertebral (1.03 vs. 0.49), wrist (1.46 vs. 0.99), and hip fractures (0.79 vs. 0.45).

In terms of racial/gender groups, HIV infection was found to increase the risk of fractures in Caucasian women and men and in African-American women.

Further research is needed to "learn more about the mechanisms of this bone loss -- whether antiviral drugs, the virus itself, or other metabolic factors are responsible -- and investigate specific rates for women before and after menopause," Dr. Grinspoon noted.

J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008.

Regards, VergelDirectorProgram for Wellness Restorationpowerusa dot orgLooking for simple solutions to your real-life financial challenges? Check out WalletPop for the latest news and information, tips and calculators.