Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2022.61.01.02

Reversibility of Lipoatrophy in HIV-Infected Patients Taking Antiretroviral Therapy: a Cohort Study with Ultrasound Assessment

Ana Šoštarić Zadro ; Dr Fran Mihaljević University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Zagreb, Croatia
Klaudija Višković ; Dr Fran Mihaljević University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Zagreb, Croatia
Josip Begovac ; Dr Fran Mihaljević University Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Zagreb, Croatia; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterize and compare changes in subcutaneous
fat in the malar, brachial and crural region in a cohort of HIV-infected patients taking antiretroviral
therapy. This prospective longitudinal study included 77 patients who were selected from the initial
cohort evaluated in 2007 and 2008. We examined reversibility of lipoatrophy measured by ultrasound
over at least five-year period and factors related to its reversibility. All 46 patients who used stavudine
switched from stavudine to another combination. Of 58 patients on zidovudine, 16 (28%) were on a
zidovudine based regimen at the second follow up. There was evidence for subcutaneous fat increase
in the malar area (p<0.001) and no increase in the brachial and crural areas. Patients who were
smokers and had poor adherence to the Mediterranean diet had a thinner malar area at the follow up
measurement (p=0.030) and smaller increase in subcutaneous malar fat compared to others (p=0.040).
Our study suggested that modest increase of subcutaneous fat in malar area coincided with stopping
stavudine and fewer usage of zidovudine. Lifestyle with non-adherence to the Mediterranean diet and
smoking were associated with a smaller increase in subcutaneous malar fat.

Keywords

Lipoatrophy; Antiretroviral therapy; Ultrasound; Mediterranean diet

Hrčak ID:

280101

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/280101

Publication date:

1.3.2022.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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