Lipodystrophy syndrome(s)

November 2001     View PDF     En español

People living with HIV face numerous challenges when managing their health. One of the distressing observations includes visible changes in body shape and appearance. Although some aspects of this phenomenon were seen in earlier years of the epidemic, reports have increased since 1996 with the widespread use of three-drug anti-HIV therapy.

Although there is no precise, agreed upon definition of the term, these changes of fat redistribution in the body and related irregularities in certain blood tests are typically called lipodystrophy. Only some people with HIV on anti-HIV therapy develop lipodystrophy and its true prevalence is unknown.

This publication describes what’s currently known about this condition. You will learn about what may or may not cause lipodystrophy and how it affects men and women. You will also read about a working definition, health risks, and ways to treat its symptoms and associated lab measures. We suggest you also read Project Inform’s publication, Mitochondrial Toxicity and Lactic Acidosis, for related information on lipodystrophy.