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Management of Fat Accumulation in Patients with HIV Infection

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An Erratum to this article was published on 27 September 2011

Abstract

The use of antiretroviral therapies has improved survival in people living with HIV to nearly normal rates. However, ongoing low-level HIV replication and incomplete immune recovery are associated with a chronic inflammatory stimulus. This increases several non-typically AIDS-related complications, including fat mass changes and metabolic conditions. Abdominal adiposity occurs as a result of complex interactions involving HIV itself, antiretroviral drug–associated factors, and several intermediary metabolic alterations and abnormal hormone levels. Abdominal adiposity in turn can further the metabolic derangements, and increase the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Abnormal growth hormone secretion plays a role in development of the fat depot changes. Effective long-term interventions to decrease central adiposity are limited but studies using growth hormone and especially growth hormone–releasing factor have shown encouraging results. Other emerging therapeutic options have been variably successful in the short term and the continuing clinical and therapeutic challenges will require ongoing investigation.

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Disclosure

J. Falutz: Consultant to Theratechnologies Inc. and Co-principal Investigator for tesamorelin studies. Speakers’ bureau for Abbott, ViiV, EMD Serono, Merck, and BMS.

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  1. Immunodeficiency Treatment Center, McGill University Health Center, Room A5-140 1650 Cedar Avenue Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H3G 1A4

    Julian Falutz

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Correspondence to Julian Falutz.

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An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11904-011-0097-1

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Falutz, J. Management of Fat Accumulation in Patients with HIV Infection. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 8, 200–208 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11904-011-0087-3

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