"Background: Published studies reported a high prevalence of osteoporosis among HIV-1-infected subjects, but none of them were conducted in Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective was to estimate prevalence of osteoporosis based on dual energy X-absorptiometry bone mineral density in Senegalese patients above 50 years of age and to identify associated factors.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 193 HIV patients above 50 years of age in Dakar, Senegal. Bone mineral density was measured by dual energy X-absorptiometry at lumbar spine, femoral neck and total hip. Osteoporosis was defined as T-score ≤ -2.5 at any site.

Results: Median age was 55 years. 99% of women were post-menopausal. Prevalence of osteoporosis at any site was 26% and 6% in women and men, respectively. One and eight subjects had osteoporosis at femoral neck and total hip, respectively, while osteoporosis was more prevalent at lumbar spine (25% in women and 4% in men). Factors independently associated with osteoporosis were female gender (OR=10.3; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.3-32.6) body mass index (OR=0.8; CI: 0.7-1.0) and CD4 count below 350 cells/μl (OR=2.7; CI: 1.0-7.5).

Conclusions: Patients from this African setting had very low prevalence of osteoporosis at femoral neck, but osteoporosis at the lumbar spine was more prevalent especially among women. Consequences of these bone disorders in terms of fracture need to be investigated in future studies."

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