Viral hepatitis is associated with reduced bone mineral density in HIV-infected women but not men.

OBJECTIVE:: Few studies have examined the impact of viral hepatitis on bone mineral density (BMD), and none have done so among HIV-infected patients. Our objective was to determine whether viral hepatitis was associated with low BMD in HIV. DESIGN:: A cross-sectional study among 1237 HIV-infected patients (625 with viral hepatitis). METHODS:: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans of the lumbar spine and femoral neck were obtained. Clinical data, hepatitis B and C status, and markers of bone metabolism were determined at dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanning. Multivariable logistic regression examined the association between hepatitis and low BMD (Z-score