Immediate ART start results in bone loss

In HIV-positive patients with the high level of CD4 cells initiation of ART immediately instead of postponed treatment results in bone loss. HIV virus itself as well as ARV therapy is connected with high fracture risk, low bone mineral density (BMD) level, even why it so remains unclear.

The team of researchers from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, conducted a study to find correlations between immediate ARV therapy start or deferred treatment start and bone loss in patients with CD4 >500 cells/mL. The australian research shows  that the illness risk was lower by those who had started their ARV therapy immediately after they discovered their HIV positive status compared to the ARV therapy delay.

Rapid ART start was followed by longer BMD declines, one mineral density was serious in the first year on ARV therapy, but then the level became stabilized. BMD level increased over two years by those with postponed ARV therapy start.

“The study was stopped early because of the benefits of treatment, with the results being instrumental in changing HIV treatment guidelines worldwide to recommend all people with HIV infection start antiretroviral treatment as soon as possible after diagnosis.” - commented the results of the study one of the biologists.