Prevalence and risk factors of low bone mineral density in Korean HIV-infected patients: impact of abacavir and zidovudine

Bone mineral density among children living with HIV failing first-line anti-retroviral therapy in Uganda: A sub-study of the CHAPAS-4 trial

BACKGROUND

Children living with perinatally acquired HIV (CLWH) survive into adulthood on antiretroviral therapy (ART). HIV, ART, and malnutrition can all lead to low bone mineral density (BMD). Few studies have described bone health among CLWH in Sub-Saharan Africa. We determined the prevalence and factors associated with low BMD among CLWH switching to second-line ART in the CHAPAS-4 trial (ISRCTN22964075) in Uganda.

METHODS

BMD was determined using dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA). BMD Z-scores were adjusted for age, sex, height and race. Demographic characteristics were summarized using median interquartile range (IQR) for continuous variables and proportions for categorical variables. Logistic regression was used to determine the associations between each variable and low BMD.

RESULTS

A total of 159 children were enrolled (50% male) with median age (IQR) 10 (7-12) years, median duration of first -line ART 5.2(3.3-6.8) years; CD4 count 774 (528-1083) cells/mm3, weight-for-age Z-score -1.36 (-2.19, -0.65) and body mass index Z-score (BMIZ) -1.31 (-2.06, -0.6). Low (Z-score≤ -2) total body less head (TBLH) BMD was observed in 28 (18%) children, 21(13%) had low lumbar spine (LS) BMD, and15 (9%) had both. Low TBLH BMD was associated with increasing age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.37; 95% CI: 1.13-1.65, p = 0.001), female sex (aOR: 3.8; 95% CL: 1.31-10.81, p = 0.014), low BMI (aOR 0.36:95% CI: 0.21-0.61, p<0.001), and first-line zidovudine exposure (aOR: 3.68; 95% CI: 1.25-10.8, p = 0.018). CD4 count, viral load and first- line ART duration were not associated with TBLH BMD. Low LS BMD was associated with increasing age (aOR 1.42; 95% CI: 1.16-1.74, p = 0.001) and female sex: (aOR 3.41; 95% CI: 1.18-9.8, p = 0.023).

CONCLUSION

Nearly 20% CLWH failing first-line ART had low BMD which was associated with female sex, older age, first-line ZDV exposure, and low BMI. Prevention, monitoring, and implications following transition to adult care should be prioritized to identify poor bone health in HIV+adolescents entering adulthood.

The effect of anti-retroviral therapy on fracture healing : an in vivo animal model

AIMS

A number of anti-retroviral therapies (ART) have been implicated in potentially contributing to HIV-associated bone disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of combination ART on the fracture healing process.

METHODS

A total of 16 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups (n = eight each): Group 1 was given a combination of Tenfovir 30 mg, Lamivudine 30 mg, and Efavirenz 60 mg per day orally, whereas Group 2 was used as a control. After one week of medication preload, all rats underwent a standardized surgical procedure of mid-shaft tibial osteotomy fixed by intramedullary nail with no gap at the fracture site. Progress in fracture healing was monitored regularly for eight weeks. Further evaluations were carried out after euthanasia by micro-CT, mechanically and histologically. Two blinded orthopaedic surgeons used the Radiological Union Scoring system for the Tibia (RUST) to determine fracture healing.

RESULTS

The fracture healing process was different between the two groups at week 4 after surgery; only two out of eight rats showed full healing in Group 1 (ART-treated), while seven out of eight rats had bone union in Group 2 (control) (p = 0.040). However, at week eight postoperatively, there was no statistical difference in bone healing; seven out of eight progressed to full union in both groups.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated that combination ART resulted in delayed fracture healing at week 4 after surgery in rats, but did not result in the development of nonunion.Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(8):585-593.

Assessment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Care Continuum in Korea using the National Health Insurance System Data

Background

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been shown to significantly reduce the likelihood of transmission to other people as well as promoting the health of people living with Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) (PLH). The purpose of this study was to assess the HIV care continuum of PLH in Korea using the national health insurance system (NHIS) database.

Materials and Methods

From 2006 to 2015, ART prescription/laboratory test claim data and enlisted accompanying comorbidities were extracted from the NHIS database. Utilizing these data, proportion of PLH on ART among those who registered to Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), HIV viral load testing, prescription trends of ART, medication possession ratio (MPR) of ART, and accompanying comorbidities were reviewed. Factors related with MPR <90% was also investigated among demographic factors, ART prescription, and accompanying comorbidities.

Results

During the observation period, the number of people receiving ART prescription increased from 2,076 in 2006 to 9,201 in 2015. Considering the number of PLHs reported by the KDCA, the proportion of PLHs who received ART prescription increased from 55.4% to 87.6% during the study period. The median value of ART MPR increased from 76.4% to 94.2% and the proportion of patients with MPR >90% increased from 54.3% to 78.2%. The most commonly accompanying comorbidities were dyslipidemia (55.7%), osteoporosis (16.3%), hypertension (15.7%) and diabetes (13.7%), respectively. The proportion of PLH with two or more comorbid conditions increased from 22.0% to 31.6%. Regarding the factors associated with suboptimal compliance, age less than 50 years old, under support of National Medical Aid, alcoholic liver disease, mental and behavioral disorders due to use of alcohol, and ART regimen of protease inhibitor and non-single table regimen integrase strand transfer inhibitor were related with MPR <90%.

Conclusion

The proportion of PLHs who received ART prescription and median MPR of ART increased during the study period. However, proportion of patients with MPR >90% was 78.2% in 2015 and there are still much room for improvement in the aspect of compliance.

Low bone mass in people living with HIV on long-term anti-retroviral therapy: A single center study in Uganda

BACKGROUND

This study set out to determine the prevalence of low bone mass following long-term exposure to antiretroviral therapy in Ugandan people living with HIV.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 199 people living with HIV that had been on anti-retroviral therapy for at least 10 years. All participants had dual X-ray absorptiometry to determine their bone mineral density. The data collected included antiretroviral drug history and behavioral risk data Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Inferential statistics were analyzed using multilevel binomial longitudinal Markov chain Monte Carlo mixed multivariate regression modelling using the rstanarm package.

RESULTS

One hundred ninety nine adults were enrolled with equal representation of males and females. The mean age was 39.5 (SD 8.5) years. Mean durations on anti-retroviral treatment was 12.1 (SD 1.44) years, CD4 cell count was 563.9 cells/mm3. 178 (89.5%) had viral suppression with <50 viral copies/ml. There were 4 (2.0%) and 36 (18%) participants with low bone mass of the hip and lumbar spine respectively. Each unit increase in body mass index was associated with a significant reduction in the odds for low bone mineral density of the hip and lumbar spine. The duration on and exposure to the various antiretroviral medications had no significant effect on the participant's odds for developing low bone mass. All the coefficients of the variables in a multivariable model for either hip or lumbar spine bone mass were not significant.

CONCLUSION

These results provide additional evidence that patients on long term ART achieve bone mass stabilization. Maintaining adequate body weight is important in maintaining good bone health in people on antiretroviral therapy.

Prevalence of Bone Loss and the Short-Term Effect of Anti-retroviral Therapy on Bone Mineral Density in Treatment-Naïve Male Japanese Patients with HIV

Background:

There have been few studies have shown the relationship between HIV and low Bone Mineral Density (BMD) in Asian countries. In particular, research on the early impact of anti-HIV drugs on BMD is scarce.

Objective:

We studied the prevalence of bone loss and changes of BMD after the start of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) in Japanese naïve patients with HIV.

Methods:

Male patients with HIV who visited our hospital between 2010 and 2016 were enrolled. Patients underwent BMD analyses before and one year after ART. Changes in BMD after ART initiation were evaluated by paired t-tests. To identify clinical factors affecting BMD after ART initiation based on the BMD change ratio, multiple regression analysis was performed.

Results:

Thirty-one patients were followed up. By employing the T-scores in the lumbar spines and femoral necks, the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis was found to be 38.7-45.2% and 6.2% respectively. There were significant BMD decreases after ART initiation. Use of Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) / emtricitabine (FTC), use of Protease Inhibitors (PIs), and low CD4 cell counts were independent risk factors for lumbar spine BMD decrease. Urinary N-terminal telopeptide / creatinine was the independent risk factor for femoral neck BMD decrease.

Conclusions:

Low BMD was prevalent in our study cases. Low CD4 cell counts at the onset of ART initiation, TDF/FTC use, and PI use increased the risk of lumbar spine BMD decrease significantly more, while ART affected femoral neck BMD of patients with higher bone metabolic activity significantly more.

Non-traumatic Unilateral Femur Neck Fracture in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Positive Septuagenarian Indian Male: A Unique Case Report

Introduction

Antiretroviral drugs are known to cause osteoporosis making the bones susceptible to fracture. Osteoporotic fractures are majorly seen in the vertebral bodies. Pathological fractures need to be fixed without much delay to start mobilization of the patients.

Case Report

The present case describes a 72-year-old male who was diagnosed to be human immunodeficiency virus-positive 11 months back for which the patient was on a combination of antiretroviral therapy for 11 months. The patient was a farmer by occupation. The patient presented to us with left sided hip pain for1 week with no history of trauma or fall. The patient was able to walk approximately 100m with the help of a height adjustable walker. However, activities such as squatting and sitting cross-legged were restricted for1 week. Radiographic examination revealed a fracture of the left neck of the femur. The patient was evaluated for metastasis the investigations for which were negative. Bipolar hemiarthroplasty of the hip was done since radiographically and intraoperatively no changes were noted in the acetabulum which would have changed the plan to total hip replacement. Following the surgery, patient started walking full-weight bearing from the very next day after surgery.

Conclusion

This case concludes the potential of antiretroviral drugs such as abacavir, lamivudine and efavirenz to cause pathological fractures which has never been described in literature before.

TDF and quantitative ultrasound bone quality in African patients on second line ART, ANRS 12169 2LADY sub-study

BACKGROUND

Bone demineralization, which leads to osteoporosis and increased fracture risk, is a common metabolic disorder in HIV-infected individuals. In this study, we aimed to assess the change in bone quality using quantitative ultrasound (QUS) over 96 weeks of follow-up after initiation of second-line treatment, and to identify factors associated with change in bone quality.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

In a randomized trial (ANRS 12169), TDF and PI-naïve participants failing standard first-line treatment, from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, and Senegal were randomized to receive either TDF/FTC/LPVr, ABC/ddI/LPVr or TDF/FTC/DRVr. Their bone quality was assessed using calcaneal QUS at baseline and every 24 weeks until week 96. Stiffness index (SI) was used to measure bone quality. Out of 228 participants, 168 (74%) were women. At baseline, median age was 37 years (IQR: 33-46 years) and median T-CD4 count was 199 cells/μl (IQR: 113-319 cells/μl). The median duration of first-line antiretroviral treatment (ART) was 52 months (IQR: 36-72 months) and the median baseline SI was 101 (IQR: 87-116). In multivariable analysis, factors associated with baseline SI were sex (β = -10.8 [-18.1,-3.5] for women), age (β = -8.7 [-12.4,-5.1] per 10 years), body mass index (BMI) (β = +0.8 [0.1,1.5] per unit of BMI), and study site (β = +12.8 [6.5,19.1] for Cameroon). After 96 weeks of second-line therapy, a reduction of 7.1% in mean SI was observed, as compared with baseline. Factors associated with SI during the follow-up were similar to those found at baseline. Exposure to TDF was not associated with a greater loss of bone quality over time.

CONCLUSION

Bone quality decreased after second-line ART initiation in African patients independently of TDF exposure. Factors associated with bone quality include age, sex, baseline BMI, study site, and duration of follow-up.

HIV Infection and Bone Abnormalities

More than 36 million people are living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection worldwide and 50% of them have access to antiretroviral therapy (ART). While recent advances in HIV therapy have reduced the viral load, restored CD4 T cell counts and decreased opportunistic infections, several bone-related abnormalities such as low bone mineral density (BMD), osteoporosis, osteopenia, osteomalacia and fractures have emerged in HIV-infected individuals. Of all classes of antiretroviral agents, HIV protease inhibitors used in ART combination showed a higher frequency of osteopenia, osteoporosis and low BMD in HIV-infected patients. Although the mechanisms of HIV and/or ART associated bone abnormalities are not known, it is believed that the damage is caused by a complex interaction of T lymphocytes with osteoclasts and osteoblasts, likely influenced by both HIV and ART. In addition, infection of osteoclasts and bone marrow stromal cells by HIV, including HIV Gp120 induced apoptosis of osteoblasts and release of proinflammatory cytokines have been implicated in impairment of bone development and maturation. Several of the newer antiretroviral agents currently used in ART combination, including the widely used tenofovir in different formulations show relative adverse effects on BMD. In this context, switching the HIV-regimen from tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) to tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) showed improvement in BMD of HIV-infected patients. In addition, inclusion of integrase inhibitor in ART combination is associated with improved BMD in patients. Furthermore, supplementation of vitamin D and calcium with the initiation of ART may mitigate bone loss. Therefore, levels of vitamin D and calcium should be part of the evaluation of HIV-infected patients.

Different Impact Of Antiretroviral Drugs On Bone Differentiation In An In Vitro Model

Recently increasing emphasis is placed on preventive health and management of chronic comorbidities avoiding long-term toxicities of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Drawing from this background we decided to use the Saos-2, osteosarcoma cell line, as a cellular model, to evaluate the effects of some antiretroviral drugs such as abacavir (ABC), tenofovir (TDF), efavirenz (EFV), etravirine (ETR), and darunavir (DRV), on bone differentiation related pathways. According to our observation, treatment with TDF and ABC affects the ability of the cells to produce calcium deposits with a reduced expression of type I collagen gene and p21 mRNA, also increasing the activity of Wnt3a related pathway. On the other hand treatment with EFV and DRV was not related to any significant reduction of calcium deposits but displayed a decrease in the expression of Wnt3a at day 14 and Type I Collagen at day 7 compared with untreated cells, even if this last down regulation was not confirmed at day 14. Instead ETR administration to Saos-2 cells increases the calcium deposits collagen type I production, as a result of Wnt3a mRNA overexpression, and of an upregulation of collagen type I expression, being also the only drug able to increase the expression of p21 cdk inhibitor as further marker of terminal differentiation. In summary these data suggest the potential negative interference of TDF and ABC on bone differentiation. DRV and EFV partially affect collagen type I production, instead ETR facilitates a positive bone balance as a result of an increased osteoblasts terminal differentiation.

Bone health and HIV in resource-limited settings: a scoping review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Sub-Saharan Africa and other resource-limited settings (RLS) bear the greatest burden of the HIV epidemic globally. Advantageously, the expanding access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) has resulted in increased survival of HIV individuals in the last 2 decades. Data from resource rich settings provide evidence of increased risk of comorbid conditions such as osteoporosis and fragility fractures among HIV-infected populations. We provide the first review of published and presented data synthesizing the current state of knowledge on bone health and HIV in RLS.

RECENT FINDINGS

With few exceptions, we found a high prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD) and hypovitaminosis D among HIV-infected populations in both RLS and resource rich settings. Although most recognized risk factors for bone loss are similar across settings, in certain RLS there is a high prevalence of both non-HIV-specific risk factors and HIV-specific risk factors, including advanced HIV disease and widespread use of ART, including tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, a non-BMD sparing ART. Of great concern, we neither found published data on the effect of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate initiation on BMD, nor any data on incidence and prevalence of fractures among HIV-infected populations in RLS.

SUMMARY

To date, the prevalence and squeal of metabolic bone diseases in RLS are poorly described. This review highlights important gaps in our knowledge about HIV-associated bone health comorbidities in RLS. This creates an urgent need for targeted research that can inform HIV care and management guidelines in RLS.

HIV-related metabolic comorbidities in the current ART era

Despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-infected individuals have residual chronic immune activation that contributes to the pathogenesis of HIV infection. This immune system dysregulation is a pathogenic state manifested by very low naïve T-cell numbers and increased terminally differentiated effector cells that generate excessive proinflammatory cytokines with limited functionality. Immune exhaustion leaves an individual at risk for accelerated aging-related diseases, including renal dysfunction, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, and osteoporosis. We highlight research that clarifies the role of HIV, ART, and other factors that contribute to the development of these diseases among HIV-infected persons.

Bone alterations associated with HIV

HIV infection and initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) have been consistently associated with decreased bone mineral density (BMD), with growing evidence linking HIV to an increased risk of fracture. This is especially concerning with the expanding number of older persons living with HIV. Interestingly, recent data suggest that HIV-infected children and youth fail to achieve peak BMD, possibly increasing their lifetime risk of fracture. Elucidating the causes of the bone changes in HIV-positive persons is challenging because of the multifactorial nature of bone disease in HIV, including contribution of the virus, immunosuppression, ART toxicity, and traditional osteoporosis risk factors, such as age, lower weight, tobacco, and alcohol use. Thus, practitioners must recognize the risk of low BMD and fractures and appropriately screen patients for osteoporosis if risk factors exist. If fractures do occur or elevated fracture risk is detected through screening, treatment with bisphosphonate medications appears safe and effective in the HIV+population.

HIV and noncommunicable diseases: the Asian perspective

Asia is seeing a rise in noncommunicable diseases in their general population and among people living with HIV. Many Asians have low body weight, which can lead to higher plasma concentrations of antiretrovirals and, as a result, their toxicities. Examples are metabolic complications from protease inhibitors, chronic kidney disease from tenofovir, and hepatotoxicity from nevirapine. Asia has not only the highest burden of hepatitis B viral infection than any other continent but also a predominance of genotypes B and C, the latter associated with higher risk for hepatocellular carcinoma. HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders are equally common among Asians as other populations. Diastolic dysfunction and asymptomatic myocardial ischemia are not infrequent. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is the most common AIDS-related cancer, whereas Kaposi sarcoma is relatively infrequent. Emerging data show high prevalence of human papillomavirus-associated anal dysplasia in men who have sex with men. Resource-limited countries in Asia suffer from lack of resources for national screening programs of noncommunicable diseases, which, in turn, limits the epidemiologic data that exist to guide the use of national health resources.