ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to compare changes in bone mineral density (BMD) over 144 weeks in HIVinfected patients initiating nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)-sparing or protease inhibitor-sparing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).
MethodsSixty-three HAART-naïve patients were randomized to zidovudine/lamivudine 1 efavirenz or lopinavir/ritonavir 1 efavirenz. We performed dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) at baseline and at weeks 24, 48, 96 and 144 to evaluate lumbar spine and femoral neck (hip) BMD.
ResultsAt baseline, 33 patients (55.9%) had low BMD (T-score o À 1.0) and of these eight had osteoporosis (T-score o À 2.5). Spine BMD declined in both arms until week 24, before stabilizing. In the NRTIsparing arm, the mean percentage change from baseline was À 2.7% [95% confidence interval (CI) À 3.9 to À 1.4] at week 24 and À 2.5% (95% CI À 5.4 to 0.3) at week 144, compared with À 3.2% (95% CI À 4.4 to À 2.1) and À 1.9% (95% CI À 3.5 to À 0.3) in the protease inhibitor-sparing arm. Hip BMD declined until week 48 before stabilizing. In the NRTI-sparing arm, BMD had decreased by À 5.1% (95% CI À 7.1 to À 3.1) at week 48 and À 4.5% (95% CI À 6.9 to À 2.1) at week 144, compared with À 6.1% (95% CI À 8.2 to À 4.0) and À 5.0% (95% CI À 6.8 to À 3.1) in the protease inhibitor-sparing arm. There were no significant differences between arms. Low baseline CD4 cell count was independently associated with spine (P 5 0.007) and hip (P 5 0.04) BMD loss and low body mass index with hip BMD loss (P 5 0.03).
ConclusionSpine and hip BMD declined rapidly 24 to 48 weeks after initiating HAART, independent of the assigned drug class, but thereafter BMD values remained stable.Keywords: bone mineral density, highly active antiretroviral therapy, HIV, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, osteoporosis, protease inhibitors
IntroductionThe introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has altered the morbidity and mortality of HIVinfected patients substantially. Younger persons diagnosed with HIV infection may face more than 30 years of antiretroviral treatment [1], and therefore it has become increasingly important to understand the potential longterm toxicities associated with HAART. Correspondence: Dr Ann-Brit Hansen, Department of Infectious Diseases M5132, Copenhagen University Hospital, Blegdamsvej 9, Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. Tel: +45 30299306; e-mail: ann-brit.eg. hansen@rh.regionh.dk DOI: 10.1111DOI: 10. /j.1468DOI: 10. -1293DOI: 10. .2010 (2011), 12, 157-165 157.x r 2010 British HIV Association HIV MedicineIt is well documented that the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis is increased in HIV-infected persons. In a recent review it was estimated that up to two-thirds of all HIV-infected patients have reduced bone mineral density (BMD), and 15% have osteoporosis as defined by a T-score of o2.5. Compared with an HIV-negative person, an HIVinfected person is 3-to-4 times more likely to have osteoporosis, and some data indicate that the prevalence...