Alveolar bone in human immunodeficiency virus infection: is it changed by long-term antiretroviral therapy?

Abstract

Background: Previous studies have reported that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) can lead to osteoporosis in HIV-infected individuals. However, their effects on alveolar bone are not well established. The objective of this study was to measure the alveolar bone mineral density (BMD) of HIV-infected patients, with and without antiretroviral therapy (ART), in comparison with that of HIV-free individuals, and to determine factors associated with the BMD of alveolar bone. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed in non-HIV-infected individuals and HIV-infected individuals, with and without ART. Medical status and clinical data were recorded. Periapical radiographs of maxillary and mandibular right premolars were analysed for changes of alveolar BMD based on HIV/ART status. Other factors associated with the changes of alveolar BMD were explored using a parametric multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Results: One-hundred and one HIV-infected individuals receiving ART (age range: 23–57 years; median age 39 years), 58 receiving no ART (age range: 20–59 years; median age 34 years) and 50 HIV-negative individuals (age range: 19–59 years; median age 36 years) were enrolled. Neither HIV status nor use of ART was significantly associated with the changes of alveolar BMD. Conclusion: Although osteoporosis has been reported in HIV-infected individuals treated with ART, alveolar BMD does not appear to be changed as a result of the infection, or use of ART.