Association between HIV infection and bone mineral density in climacteric women

Summary A cross-sectional study was conducted with the purpose of evaluating bone mineral density in HIV seropositive and seronegative climacteric women. HIV infection was negatively associated with bone mineral density in the lumbar spine Purpose To assess bone mineral density (BMD) and its associated factors in HIV seropositive and seronegative climacteric women Methods A cross-sectional study with 537 women (273 HIV seropositive and 264 HIV seronegative) aged between 40 and 60 years old receiving follow-up care at two hospitals in Brazil. A questionnaire on clinical and sociodemographic characteristics was completed. Laboratory tests were performed, and BMD was measured at the lumbar spine and hip. Statistical analysis was carried out by Yates and Pearson chi-squared tests, Mann–Whitney test, and multiple linear regression. Results The mean age was 47.7 years in HIV-seropositive women, and 75 % had nadir CD4 above 200, and 77.8 % had viral load below the detection limit. The mean age in the HIV-seronegative women was 49.8 years. The prevalence of low spinal BMD was 14.6 % in the HIV-seropositive and 4.6 % in the HIV-seronegative women ( p