[Alteration of bone metabolism in HIV-infected patients treated by HAART]

For several years already, a growing number of studies reports modifications in the bone metabolism among HIV-infected patients. Some of these studies, published even before the use of HAART, involved the infection itself. With the experience already available as concerns HAART, antiretroviral treatments (ART) seem however to be called into question. Data are divergent yet. Some studies tend to invalidate the collected data about the harmful role of HAART and prove the absence of effect or even the beneficial action of ART on bone. Moreover, the three important classes of ART are implied, even if the proteases inhibitors are most commonly charged. Pathogenic mechanism remain hypothetical. While the impact on morbidity seems to be weak for the time being, long-term repercussions are still unknown, in particular when children are concerned. In such conditions, it appears difficult to set up coherent politics of screening, prevention and treatment. Nevertheless beyond the divergences, the multifactorial character of alteration of HIV-infected patient's bone metabolism seems to be undeniable. The identification of the different parameters should in the future clarify the situation and enable the publishing of exact criteria of screening, prevention and treatment.