Prevalence and factors associated with lipodystrophy in AIDS patients

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Lunara Basqueroto Della Justina, Magali Chaves Luiz, Rosemeri Maurici, Fabiana Schuelter-Trevisol
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 2014
• Subjects: Lipodystrophy; HIV; HIV-associated lipodystrophy syndrome; Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; Prevalence; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic; Ramos
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0240-2013; https://doaj.org/article/1263e568fa094ee7ad8dcfce518e62de

Introduction: The published literature shows an increased occurrence of adverse events, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated lipodystrophy syndrome, that are associated with the continuous use of antiretroviral therapy. This study was performed to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with lipodystrophy in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study between October 2012 and February 2013. The sample consisted of patients with AIDS who attended the Outpatient Treatment Center for Infectious Diseases at Nereu Ramos Hospital, Florianópolis, State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. We collected information on demographics, lifestyle, HIV infection, and clinical aspects of the disease. Self-reported signs of lipodystrophy and body measurements were used for lipodystrophy diagnosis. Results: We studied 74 patients (mean age 44.3±9.2 years; 60.8% men). Among the patients, 45.9% were smokers, 31.1% consumed alcoholic beverages, and 55.4% were sedentary. The prevalence of lipodystrophy was 32.4%, and sedentary subjects had a higher prevalence of lipodystrophy compared with physically active individuals. Conclusions: The prevalence of lipodystrophy was 32.4%. Physical activity was considered an independent protective factor against the onset of HIV-associated lipodystrophy.