Post-menopausal women who suffer from HIV have a higher risk of bone fractures, a new study suggests.
Although such as vitamin D and calcium can help increase the strength of bones, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism indicates that therapies used to make HIV patients live longer can be detrimental to bone mineral density.
Previous studies have indicated that HIV patients have a higher prevalence of low bone density due to metabolic complications brought on by treatment. It has also been found that post-menopausal women are among the highest groups for those at risk for osteoporotic fractures.
The new study decided to combine the groups, noting that there was a significant risk factor for those who suffer from both issues, making HIV-positive post-menopausal women one of the most susceptible groups to the ailment.
“Estrogen protects against the effect of cytokines on bone resorption,” said the studys lead author Dr. Michael Yin. “Therefore, as HIV-positive women become estrogen deficient during menopause, they may be at higher risk for accelerated bone loss and fracture.”