Why does osteoporosis occur in people with HIV?

Osteoporosis is caused by a lack of bone calcium and protein, but the reasons for its appearance in relatively young, HIV-positive people, is still unexplained.

The high prevalence of osteopenia in HIV-positive people relative to HIV-negative people suggests that HIV itself contributes to thinning bones in this population.1,2,3 However, it is not yet clear whether other factors contribute to thinning bones in HIV-positive people.

Common risk factors for osteoporosis in HIV-negative people include:

  • Family history.
  • Early menopause.
  • Low testosterone levels in men.
  • Prolonged corticosteroid or anticonvulsant use.
  • Low calcium intake.
  • Poor absorption of calcium.
  • Smoking.
  • Low body mass.
  • Sedentary lifestyle.

References

  1. Knobel H et al. Osteopenia in HIV-infected patients: is it the disease or is it the treatment? AIDS 15(6): 807-808, 2001
  2. McGowan I et al. Assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) in HIV-infected antiretroviral-therapy-naive patients. Eighth Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, Chicago, abstract 628, 2001
  3. Negredo E et al. Bone mineral density in HIV-infected patients. Eighth Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections, Chicago, abstract 626, 2001
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