title: Body composition in HIV-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The development of combination antiretroviral therapies (cART) represents a significant advance in the treatment of (human immunodeficiency virus) HIV infection. However, several studies report that a large percentage of individuals with HIV, particularly those receiving cART, present body composition differences compared with the general population. The aim of this study was to explore body composition differences by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), among HIV-positive patients receiving cART, in comparison to healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional study included 60 HIV-infected patients (all under 50 years old). We analyzed the association of antiretroviral medication use and different HIV-related factors, to the body composition parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our cohort had significantly lower fat mass and lower bone mass compared to non HIV-infected persons. Median time since HIV infection diagnosis was 5 years (interquartile range, [IQR], 2-10.25) and viral suppression was achieved in 49 (81.66%) patients. Treatment with protease inhibitors (PIs) was strongly correlated with low fat mass, reduced lean mass and loss of bone mineral density. Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs)-containing treatment was associated with decrease of lean tissue mass (LM). The prevalence of osteopenia was 41.67% at the lumbar spine (L1-L4) and 36.7% at the hip. We found osteoporosis in 10% of the patients at the lumbar spine. Reduced bone mass was associated, in the patient group, with the duration of PIs use and with smoking (in the males group).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our research, HIV-infected individuals compared to healthy controls had body composition differences, including fat mass atrophy and reduced bone mineral content.
authors.affiliation: a Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Bucharest , Romania.|b National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Prof. Dr. Matei Balș' , Bucharest , Romania.|c 'Dr I. Cantacuzino' Clinical Hospital , Bucharest , Romania.
authors.forename: Cristina Emilia
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Chițu-Tișu
authors.affiliation: a Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Bucharest , Romania.|b National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Prof. Dr. Matei Balș' , Bucharest , Romania.|c 'Dr I. Cantacuzino' Clinical Hospital , Bucharest , Romania.
authors.forename: Ecaterina Constanța
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Barbu
authors.affiliation: a Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Bucharest , Romania.|b National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Prof. Dr. Matei Balș' , Bucharest , Romania.
authors.forename: Mihai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lazăr
authors.affiliation: a Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Bucharest , Romania.|c 'Dr I. Cantacuzino' Clinical Hospital , Bucharest , Romania.
authors.forename: Mihai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bojincă
authors.affiliation: a Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Bucharest , Romania.|b National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Prof. Dr. Matei Balș' , Bucharest , Romania.
authors.forename: Ana-Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Tudor
authors.affiliation: a Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Bucharest , Romania.|b National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Prof. Dr. Matei Balș' , Bucharest , Romania.
authors.forename: Adriana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hristea
authors.affiliation: b National Institute for Infectious Diseases 'Prof. Dr. Matei Balș' , Bucharest , Romania.
authors.forename: Adrian Octavian
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Abagiu
authors.affiliation: a Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Bucharest , Romania.
authors.forename: Daniela Adriana
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Ion
authors.affiliation: a Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy , Bucharest , Romania.
authors.forename: Anca Ioana
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Bădărău
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D001823:Body Composition; D015519:Bone Density; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Antiretroviral therapy; Body composition; Bone mineral density; Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; HIV; Lipodystrophy