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Association between handgrip strength and bone mass parameters in HIV-infected children and adolescents. A
Priscila Custódio Martins1, Luiz Rodrigo Augustemak de Lima2, Tiago Rodrigues de Lima1
1MSc. Doctoral Student, Department of Physical Education, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis (SC), Brazil.
Insights
Handgrip strength (HGS) is directly associated with bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in children and adolescents with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This finding highlights the link between muscle strength and bone health in this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric endocrinology
- Bone metabolism
- Infectious diseases
Background:
- Children and adolescents with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) often exhibit low bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD).
- Both HIV infection and combined antiretroviral therapy (ART) can negatively impact bone metabolism.
- While a link between muscle strength and BMD exists in adults with HIV, its association with bone mass in pediatric populations is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between handgrip strength (HGS) levels and BMC/BMD in children and adolescents diagnosed with HIV.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 65 children and adolescents (ages 8-15) with vertically-transmitted HIV.
- Bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) were measured using dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
- Handgrip strength (HGS) was assessed using manual dynamometers, with adjustments for covariates like ART, CD4+ T lymphocyte count, and viral load.
Main Results:
- Adjusted analyses revealed a direct association between HGS and subtotal BMD (P < 0.001), subtotal BMC (P = 0.005), and lumbar-spine BMC (P = 0.010).
- No significant association was observed between HGS and lumbar-spine BMD (P = 0.299).
Conclusions:
- Handgrip strength (HGS) is positively correlated with bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) in pediatric populations with HIV.
- These findings suggest that muscle strength may play a role in maintaining bone health in HIV-infected children and adolescents.
Background:
Low bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) have been identified in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected children and adolescents. The direct adverse effects of HIV infection and combined antiretroviral therapy (ART) negatively contribute to bone metabolism. A direct relationship between muscle strength levels and BMD in HIV-infected adults and older adults has been described. However, it is unknown whether handgrip strength (HGS) is associated with bone mass in pediatric populations diagnosed with HIV.
Objective:
To ascertain whether HGS levels are associated with BMC and BMD in HIV-infected children and adolescents.
Design And Setting:
Cross-sectional study conducted in Florianãpolis, Brazil, in 2016.
Methods:
The subjects were 65 children and adolescents (8-15 years) diagnosed with vertically-transmitted HIV. Subtotal and lumbar-spine BMC and BMD were obtained via dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). HGS was measured using manual dynamometers. The covariates of sex, ART, CD4+ T lymphocytes and viral load were obtained through questionnaires and medical records. Sexual maturation was self-reported and physical activity was measured using accelerometers. Simple and multiple linear regression were used, with P < 0.05.
Results:
HGS was directly associated with subtotal BMD (β = 0.002; R² = 0.670; P < 0.001), subtotal BMC (β = 0.090; R² = 0.734; P = 0.005) and lumbar-spine BMC (β = 1.004; R² = 0.656; P = 0.010) in the adjusted analyses. However, no significant association was found between HGS and lumbar-spine BMD (β = 0.001; R² = 0.464; P = 0.299).
Conclusion:
HGS was directly associated with BMD and BMC in HIV-infected children and adolescents.
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