High prevalence of osteonecrosis of the femoral head in HIV-infected adults

Ann Intern Med. 2002 Jul 2;137(1):17-25. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-137-1-200207020-00008.

Abstract

Background: Osteonecrosis has been reported to occur occasionally among HIV-infected patients. The diagnosis of symptomatic osteonecrosis of the hip in two of the authors' patients, together with reports from community physicians, raised a concern that the prevalence of osteonecrosis is increasing.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of osteonecrosis of the hip in asymptomatic HIV-infected patients and to identify potential risk factors associated with osteonecrosis.

Design: Survey and comparison study.

Setting: The Clinical Center of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

Participants: 339 asymptomatic HIV-infected adults (of 364 asked to participate) and 118 age- and sex-matched HIV-negative volunteers enrolled between 1 June and 15 December 1999.

Measurements: Osteonecrosis of the hip, as documented by magnetic resonance imaging. Data from clinic records and a patient questionnaire administered before magnetic resonance imaging were used in an analysis of risk factors. A subset of patients was evaluated for hypercoagulable state.

Results: Fifteen (4.4% [95% CI, 2.5% to 7.2%]) of 339 HIV-infected participants had osteonecrosis lesions on magnetic resonance imaging, and no HIV-negative participants had similar lesions. Among HIV-infected participants, osteonecrosis occurred more frequently in those who used systemic corticosteroids, lipid-lowering agents, or testosterone; those who exercised routinely by bodybuilding; and those who had detectable levels of anticardiolipin antibodies.

Conclusions: Patients infected with HIV have an unexpectedly high occurrence of osteonecrosis of the hip. Although screening asymptomatic patients is not warranted, HIV-infected patients with persistent groin or hip pain should be evaluated for this debilitating complication.

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • Hip / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Matched-Pair Analysis
  • Osteonecrosis / complications*
  • Osteonecrosis / epidemiology
  • Osteonecrosis / pathology
  • Physical Examination
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires