Lancet (06/19/99) Vol. 353, No. 9170, P. 2093
Australian researchers investigated the natural course of
lipodystrophy associated with long-term therapy for HIV-1
infection that includes a protease inhibitor. The condition
was measured by questionnaire, physical exams, and dual-energy
x-ray absorptiometry. The study, which involved 113 patients
who were taking HIV-1 protease inhibitors and 45 HIV-1
patients never treated with a protease inhibitor, found a 98
percent concordance between patients' reports of the presence
or absence of lipodystrophy and physical exam. According to
the researchers, weight prior to therapy, fasting
triglyceride, and C-peptide concentrations early in treatment,
and therapy length appear to be predictors of the severity of
lipodystrophy. While the condition was common and progressive
following nearly two years of treatment with protease
inhibitors, it was not generally severe. Other common
conditions were hyperlipidemia and impaired glucose tolerance.