Bone health in people living with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy in Uganda

What is it about?

A sizable proportion of adults living with HIV (PLHIV) have been on anti-retroviral treatment (ART) for over a decade, yet relatively little is known about the impact of anti-retroviral medication on the bone health of these individuals. This study therefore set out to determine the proportion of people with reduced bone quality following long-term exposure to antiretroviral therapy in Ugandan people living with HIV. One hundred ninety-nine PLHIV that had been receiving ART for at least 10 years participated in this study. All participants had bone scanning to determine the quality of their bones. The data collected included antiretroviral drug history and behavioral risk data. The average age of the participants was 39.5 years and participants had been receiving antiretroviral medication for an average of 12.1 years. The HIV was undetectable in 178 participants. Thirty-six participants (18%) participants had reduced bone quality. Participants with normal or above normal weight was associated with good bone quality. The duration on and exposure to the various antiretroviral medications had no significant effect on the participant’s chance for developing poor bone quality.

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Photo by Jenny Hill on Unsplash

Photo by Jenny Hill on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Our findings provide additional evidence that patients on long term antiretroviral treatment achieve bone stabilization. Maintaining adequate body weight is important in maintaining good bone health in PLHIV on antiretroviral therapy.

Perspectives