Arbune Manuela, Nechita A.
“Dunarea de Jos” University Galati
Abstract
Evaluation of bone density in HIV patients is recommended by the present international guidelines for HIV management, but it is not a routine practice in Romania until now. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of osteopenia in HIV+ patients from Galati- Romania. A cross sectional study of bone density mass evaluation by quantitative ultrasonography (QUS) measurements assessed 113 HIV+ patients without history of bone pathology, in comparison with 56 healthy volunteers (control group). Osteopenia was considered if Z-score of stiffness index was ≤-1. The prevalence of HIV related osteopenia is 29,2%, with higher frequency than in the control group (p=0,002; OR=4,78). Advanced HIV disease and HBV-coinfection increase the risk of HIV related osteopenia. Future health programs are necessary in order to prevent and monitor osteopenia in HIV+ Romanian patients.