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8th Annual Conference Of The British HIV Association [BHIVA]19 – 21 April 2002, University of York, York |
[AUTHOR(S):] JN Day, A Raabe, A M Shiner, EL Wilkins
Department of Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine, Monsall Unit, North Manchester General Hospital, Manchester
BHIVA Conf 2002 Apr 19-21;8:O13
BACKGROUND: The lipodystrophy syndrome (LDS) is increasingly prevalent in HIV-infected people. We present our experience in treating facial lipoatrophy with intradermal polylactic acid (PLA) injections.
METHODS: The patients received between two and five sets of intradermal injections of PLA over 3 months. Two-thirds of the patients were enrolled into a prospective open-label non-comparative trial. Results of treatment in all patients were assessed through a quality of life (QOL) instrument, subjective assessment and independent assessment of serial photography. Patients enrolled in the trial had also had ultrasonography of facial skin thickness.
RESULTS: 27 patients received treatment. One patient had an adequate effect after two injections, nine patients have received three sets so far and 16 completed five sets of injections. All patients had subjective improvements in their appearance. There was a trend towards improvement in quality of life when treated patients were compared with untreated patients, but improvement in quality of life was not demonstrable in individual patients when assessed after 3 months of treatment. Treatment was well tolerated. All patients had swelling and discomfort for 48 hours after injection. One patient developed a pustule at an injection site; this did not require specific treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: PLA is a popular treatment among patients with facial lipoatrophy, all perceiving an improvement in their appearance. It is well tolerated, but objective improvement in quality of life has not yet been demonstrated.
PRESENTING AUTHOR: JN Day
020419
O13
Copyright © 2002 - British HIV Association (BHIVA) Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the BHIVA Organising Secretariat 1 Mountview Court, 310 Friern Barnet Lane, London N20 0LD