Журнал остеопороза и физической активности
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Menopause in HIV Infected Women: A Comprehensive Approach to Physical and Psychological Health

Berardi Cecilia, Rossi Rosario, Bellasi Antonio, Zona Stefano, Carli Federica, Casalgrandi Chiara, Garlassi Elisa, Santoro Antonella, Mussini Cristina and Guaraldi Giovanni

Objective: The number of HIV-infected women experiencing menopause is rapidly increasing. The aim of this study was to compare the physical and psychological health profile of menopausal women with and without HIV.

Methods: Case-control study, assessing clinical manifestations of menopause in HIV infected cases and in uninfected controls. Determinants of physical (subclinical cardiovascular diseases, prevalence of diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, hypothyroidism and risk of osteoporotic fractures) and psychological health (depression, quality of life in menopause and sexual dysfunction) were evaluated. The prevalence of poly-pathology (Pp) defined as the concurrent presence of 2 or more diseases was also assessed.

Results: 29 (47.5%) HIV-infected and 32 (52.5%) HIV-uninfected postmenopausal women infection were enrolled. On average, menopause occurred 3 years earlier in HIV-infected than in uninfected women (p= .01). In spite of a trend toward a greater prevalence of Pp (p=.22), the only physical indicators differing between cases and controls were a greater risk profile for osteoporotic fracture (p<0.001) and a significantly increased arterial stiffness (p=.007). In addition, cases exhibited a poorer psychological health profile with regard to depression (p=.005), sexual dysfunction (p=.02) and physical menopausal symptoms (p=.05).

Conclusion: In spite of a relatively similar physical health profile, menopause in HIV infected women is characterized by a poorer psychological profile compared to HIV uninfected women.