Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 5, 2025

Measuring Frailty in HIV-infected Individuals. Identification of Frail Patients is the First Step to Amelioration and Reversal of Frailty
Published on: July 24, 2013
[Prevalence of low bone mass in individuals with HIV infection]
Pilar Vizcarra1, Juan Gallego1, Cristina Sobrino2
1Servicio de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, España.
Background And Aims:
There are no population data on bone mass in individuals with HIV in Spain, adjusted for age and sex.
Materials And Methods:
Bone mineral density (BMD) data were obtained by dual X-ray absorptiometry in a cohort of individuals with HIV infection compared with cohort data from the general population in Spain and the United States of America.
Results:
Of 928 individuals (mean 46 years, 25% women), the prevalence of osteoporosis in the lumbar spine/femoral neck was 18%/5% in men, and 17%/10% in women, respectively. The rate increased from the age of 40 in men and from 50 in women (osteoporosis in 20% and 27%, respectively). BMD was lower than that observed in the general population in almost all age groups (mean, -6%; between 0%-11% lower compared to the Spanish cohort, and -8%; between 0%-14% lower than the American cohort).
Conclusions:
Our cohort of individuals with HIV had a lower BMD in all age groups after adjustment for age and sex, compared with the general population. This fact must be considered when making recommendations.
Related Concept Videos
Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
Pulmonary Tuberculosis I
Causative Organism
The primary infectious agent causing tuberculosis is Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a slow-growing, acid-fast, aerobic rod that exhibits sensitivity to heat and ultraviolet light. Instances of Mycobacterium bovis and Mycobacterium avium contributing to the development of TB infection are rare.
Mode of...
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency...
Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...

