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Associations between vitamin D metabolites, antiretroviral therapy and bone mineral density in people with HIV.

Klassen KM, Kimlin MG, Fairley CK, Emery S, Anderson PH, Ebeling PR, STEAL Study Group

Osteoporosis international : a journal established as result of cooperation between the European Foundation for Osteoporosis and the National Osteoporosis Foundation of the USA, 2016

160 participants

Abstract

RATIONALE: To see if vitamin D and antiretroviral therapy are associated with bone mineral density (BMD) in people with HIV.

RESULT: Lower hip BMD was associated with tenofovir (an antiretroviral medicine) in those with 25(OH)D ≥50 nmol/L.

SIGNIFICANCE: The relationship between antiretroviral therapy and hip BMD differs depending on vitamin D status.

INTRODUCTION: People with HIV have an increased risk of low BMD and fractures. Antiretroviral therapy contributes to this increased risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between vitamin D metabolites and antiretroviral therapy on BMD.

METHODS: The simplification of antiretroviral therapy with tenofovir-emtricitabine or abacavir-lamivudine trial (STEAL) was an open-label, prospective randomised non-inferiority study that compared simplification of current nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) to fixed-dose combination tenofovir-emtricitabine (TDF-FTC) or abacavir-lamivudine. Serum 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D were measured in 160 individuals (90 receiving TDF-FTC, 70 receiving other NRTIs) at baseline from this study. Multivariable linear regression models were constructed to evaluate the covariates of 1,25(OH)2D and BMD.

RESULTS: Protease inhibitor use (p = 0.02) and higher body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.002) were associated with lower 1,25(OH)2D levels in those with 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L. However, TDF-FTC use (p = 0.01) was associated with higher 1,25(OH)2D levels, but only in those with 25(OH)D ≥50…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 160 participants or records.

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