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Controlled HIV viral replication, not liver disease severity associated with low bone mineral density in HIV/HCV

Diala El-Maouche1, Shruti H Mehta, Catherine Sutcliffe

  • 1Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Journal of Hepatology
|February 23, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Osteoporosis is common in HIV/HCV co-infected individuals, especially African Americans. Controlled human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication is linked to lower bone mineral density (BMD), not liver disease severity.

Area of Science:

  • Bone metabolism and osteoporosis research
  • Infectious disease epidemiology
  • HIV/Hepatitis C co-infection studies

Background:

  • Low bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis are significant health concerns.
  • Co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C virus (HCV) presents unique challenges.
  • Understanding risk factors for low BMD in this population is crucial for clinical management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD) in individuals with HIV/HCV co-infection.
  • To identify risk factors associated with low BMD in this cohort.
  • To explore the relationship between liver disease severity, HIV replication, and BMD.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study of 179 HIV/HCV co-infected participants.
  • Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to assess bone mineral density (BMD).
  • Liver fibrosis staging via METAVIR system and assessment of HIV RNA levels were correlated with BMD (Z-scores).

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of osteoporosis was 28%, with 25% affected at the lumbar spine.
  • Lower Z-scores, indicating lower bone mineral density (BMD), were significantly associated with controlled HIV replication (HIV RNA <400 copies/ml).
  • No association was found between the severity of liver fibrosis and BMD.

Conclusions:

  • Osteoporosis is highly prevalent in HIV/HCV co-infected patients, particularly African Americans.
  • Controlled HIV replication, not liver disease severity, is a key risk factor for reduced bone mineral density (BMD).
  • These findings highlight the need for bone health monitoring in HIV/HCV co-infected individuals.
Abstract

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