Peripheral
lipoatrophy, or fat loss in the face and limbs, is a side effect associated with
use of certain nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), in particular
d4T (stavudine; Zerit).
As
reported in the January 1, 2007 Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes,
researchers conducted a study to characterize changes in regional anthropometry
(body shape measurements) associated with d4T exposure and discontinuation. The
analysis included 734 HIV positive women who used d4T (574 of whom later discontinued
the drug) and 698 HIV negative participants from the Women's Interagency HIV Study.
Anthropometrics were assessed at 8706 semiannual visits between July
1999 and March 2005, including changes in weight, waist, chest, upper arm, hip,
and mid-thigh circumference.
Results
•
HIV negative women demonstrated increases in regional anthropometry at every body
site
•
HIV
positive women, in contrast, demonstrated decreases in weight and circumference
of the waist, chest, hip, and thigh.
•
A
smaller annual decrease in hip circumference was observed after discontinuing
d4T for more than 2.25 years, compared with the decrease observed while on the
drug (P = 0.01).
•
Discontinuation
of d4T for more than 2.25 years was associated with smaller decreases in hip (0.06
cm/year) and thigh (0.005 cm/year) circumference, compared with the decreases
observed between 1 and 2.25 years (hip: 0.46 cm/year; thigh: 0.24 cm/year) or
</=1 year (hip: 0.64 cm/year, thigh: 0.27 cm/year) after d4T discontinuation.
Conclusion
"Regardless of continuing or discontinuing [d4T], HIV-infected women
demonstrate decreases in weight and body circumference measurements over time,"
the authors concluded. "The lower limb seems to be most affected by [d4T]
exposure, with stabilization observed more than 2 years after discontinuation."
01/16/07
Reference P
C Tien, M F Schneider, S R Cole, and others. Relation of Stavudine Discontinuation
to Anthropometric Changes Among HIV-Infected Women. Journal of Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndromes 44(1): 43-48. January 1, 2007.
Articles
on Experimental Treatments / Cosmetic Procedures Posted on HIV and Hepatitis.com
As
reported in the January 1, 2007 Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes,
researchers conducted a study to characterize changes in regional anthropometry
(body shape measurements) associated with d4T exposure and discontinuation. The
analysis included 734 HIV positive women who used d4T (574 of whom later discontinued
the drug) and 698 HIV negative participants from the Women's Interagency HIV Study.
