Pathogenesis of Osteopenia/Osteoporosis Induced by Highly Active Anti‐Retroviral Therapy for AIDS

Abstract

The advent of highly active anti‐retroviral therapy (HAART) has dramatically decreased the rate of AIDS‐related mortality and significantly extended the life span of patients with AIDS. A variety of metabolic side effects are associated with these therapies, one of which is metabolic bone disease. A higher prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in HIV‐infected patients receiving anti‐retroviral therapy than in patients not on therapy has now been reported in several studies. Several factors have been demonstrated to influence HIV‐associated decreases in bone mineral density (BMD), including administration of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs). In this article, discussion will focus on the molecular pathogenesis and treatment of HAART‐associated osteopenia and osteoporosis.