Clinical perspectives on HIV-associated lipodystrophy syndrome : an update

In developed countries, the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has contributed to a dramatic decrease in mortality and opportunistic infections associated with HIV/AIDS. However, as patients have begun to live longer, new complications have emerged. Over the last several years, clinicians have seen perplexing changes in fat distribution and metabolism. These changes manifest in varying combinations as lipoatrophy, lipohypertrophy, or both in localized areas, frequently in association with dyslipidemia and disturbances in glucose homeostasis.