Bone health and HIV disease

February 2008     View PDF     En español

What is osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is a loss of bone mass and is the most common bone disease. Over 10 million Americans live with it, and 3 out of 4 of them are women. It causes over a million bone fractures each year, most in the spine and hip. Primary osteoporosis is the natural loss of bone, especially in women after menopause. Secondary osteoporosis occurs from taking medicines or having a chronic condition. This may be more of an issue for people with HIV because of chronic illness, weight loss, lengthy bed rest, etc.

Osteoporosis is not the same as osteopenia, which is explained above. It’s is a more serious condition, and people who have it are more prone to bone fractures and breaks. It results from too much bone resorption and not enough formation. In this condition, holes (lacunas) develop in the bone further weakening its structure.

Osteoporosis is a condition that many older adults know. So its diagnosis at an earlier age, especially for those with HIV, can feel especially upsetting. You can help prevent it through better nutrition and staying active. These and other ways to improve your bone health are found in the section, Preventing bone loss.

Many men don’t think they’re at risk for osteoporosis, or osteopenia. In general, men have larger frames and their bodies start losing bone later in life and at a slower rate. However, men are still at risk, probably later in life and for men with low levels of testosterone. Many men with HIV have low testosterone and may want to talk to their doctors about their bone health.

Symptoms of osteoporosis may not appear before a fracture happens. If they do, they may include joint pain and tenderness, backache, feeling of weakness and loss of height. After a fracture, the pain may be much more severe. The only way to know you have this condition is by getting a bone density test done. Dental x-rays sometimes show bone loss, which may mean osteoporosis in other body parts.