Association between changes in body fat distribution, biochemical profile, time of HIV diagnosis, and antiretroviral treatment in adults living with and without virus infection

SUMMARY OBJECTIVES Individuals living with HIV seem to be more prone to changes in the redistribution of body fat, characterized as lipodystrophy, which may occur in conjunction with metabolic diseases. In the present study, such impacts were assessed in adults with and without HIV and associated with the time of virus diagnosis and treatment with antiretroviral. METHODS A cross-sectional study with 123 adults, in which 87 had HIV and 36 without HIV, of both sexes, in outpatient follow-up at the Specialized Care Service (SAE) in Macaé-RJ. The following were made: 1) Alteration in body fat distribution, measured by anthropometric parameters and self-reported lipodystrophy; 2) Biochemical profile; 3) Association between HIV diagnosis time and antiretroviral treatment. RESULTS 54.47% (n = 67) males, 45.52% (n = 56) females, mean age 37 years. Of these 87 were people living with HIV, 29% (n = 25) had self-reported lipodystrophy, mean time of virus infection, and antiretroviral treatment (5.80 ± 4.56 and 5.14 ± 3.82 years), respectively. Patients with self-reported lipodystrophy had a greater change in body fat distribution between 3-6 years of HIV diagnosis and a negative cholesterol profile. The antiretroviral treatment time influenced total cholesterol and triglycerides, even for patients without self-reported lipodystrophy, with a further nine years under treatment. CONCLUSION In this study, the negative cholesterol profile was mainly related to antiretroviral treatment time, even for patients without self-reported lipodystrophy, and changes in body fat distribution, measured by anthropometry, was especially associated with time for HIV infection in those with lipodystrophy self-reported.

RESUMO OBJETIVOS Indivíduos vivendo com HIV parecem mais propensos às alterações na redistribuição da gordura corporal, caracterizada como lipodistrofia, podendo acontecer em conjunto com as metabólicas. No presente estudo avaliaram-se tais impactos em adultos com e sem HIV e se associou ao tempo de diagnóstico do vírus e tratamento com antirretroviral. MÉTODOS Estudo tipo transversal, com 123 adultos, no qual 87 tinham HIV e 36 sem HIV, de ambos os sexos, em seguimento ambulatorial no Serviço de Atendimento Especializado (SAE) em Macaé - RJ. Foram feitos: 1) Alteração na distribuição da gordura corporal, mensurados por parâmetros antropométricos e lipodistrofia autorreferida; 2) Perfil bioquímico; 3) Associação entre tempo diagnóstico do HIV e tratamento com antirretroviral. RESULTADOS Incluíram-se 54,47% (n=67) do sexo masculino, 45,52% (n=56) do feminino, com média de idade de 37 anos. Destes, 87 eram pessoas vivendo com HIV, 29% (n=25) possuíam lipodistrofia autorreferida; tempo médio de infecção pelo vírus e tratamento antirretroviral (5,80±4,56 e 5,14±3,82 anos), respectivamente. Os pacientes com lipodistrofia autorreferida tiveram maior alteração na distribuição da gordura corporal entre 3-6 anos de diagnóstico do HIV e um perfil colesterolêmico negativo. O tempo de tratamento com antirretroviral influenciou o colesterol total e os triglicerídeos, mesmo para os pacientes sem lipodistrofia autorreferida, com mais de nove anos sob tratamento. CONCLUSÃO Neste estudo, o perfil colesterolêmico negativo se relacionou principalmente ao tempo de tratamento com antirretroviral, mesmo para os pacientes sem lipodistrofia autorreferida e as alterações na distribuição da gordura corporal, mensuradas por antropometria, se associaram especialmente ao tempo de infecção pelo HIV naqueles com lipodistrofia autorreferida.

Lipodystrophic syndrome in children and adolescents infected with the human immunodeficiency virus

The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has resulted in greater survival of patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, the use of these drugs has been associated with lipodystrophic syndrome (LS), which is characterized by metabolic alterations (dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, diabetes, and lactic acidosis) and abnormal corporal fat distribution. Clinically, LS may manifest as three different forms: lipohipertrophy (accumulation of fat in the central part of the body), lipoatrophy (loss of fat in the extremities, face and buttocks) and mixed (lipohipertrophy + lipoatrophy). Although its physiopathology has not been elucidated, some mechanisms have been described, including leptin and adiponectin deficiency, mitochondrial dysfunction and use of antiretroviral drugs. The type, dose and duration of the antiretroviral treatment, as well as age and puberty are the main risk factors. LS is also associated with increased incidence of cardiovascular illnesses, atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus. Treatment includes physical activity, cautious restriction of caloric intake, changes in antiretroviral therapy, and use of insulin-sensitizing and lipid-lowering agents. Follow up must be periodic, consisting of measurement of body fat distribution, evaluation of the lipid profile and insulin resistance.