A drug called tesamorelin helps reduce belly fat deep inside the abdomen for people with HIV who are on medication, making their belly fat decrease by about 15% compared to those not taking the drug. This finding is from the abstract summary - full study details were not available

Scientific Claim

Tesamorelin reduces visceral adipose tissue by approximately 15.4% in HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy with excess abdominal fat after 26 weeks of treatment compared to placebo.

Original Statement

“VAT decreased significantly in tesamorelin-treated patients (-24 +/- 41 vs. 2 +/- 35 cm(2), tesamorelin vs. placebo, P < 0.001; treatment effect, -15.4%)”

From study:Effects of tesamorelin (TH9507), a growth hormone-releasing factor analog, in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with excess abdominal fat: a pooled analysis of two multicenter, double-blind placebo-controlled phase 3 trials with safety extension data.

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

overstated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

probability

Can suggest probability/likelihood

Assessment Explanation

Based on abstract only - full methodology not available to verify; blinding status unknown, so definitive language is inappropriate.

More Accurate Statement

“Tesamorelin is likely to reduce visceral adipose tissue by approximately 15.4% in HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy with excess abdominal fat after 26 weeks of treatment compared to placebo.”

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Effects of tesamorelin (TH9507), a growth hormone-releasing factor analog, in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with excess abdominal fat: a pooled analysis of two multicenter, double-blind placebo-controlled phase 3 trials with safety extension data.

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2010 Sep

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Effects of tesamorelin (TH9507), a growth hormone-releasing factor analog, in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with excess abdominal fat: a pooled analysis of two multicenter, double-blind placebo-controlled phase 3 trials with safety extension data.

Score: 62

DOI: 10.1210/jc.2010-0490

Similar Assertions

A drug called tesamorelin helps HIV patients with belly fat buildup lose about 11% of their dangerous internal belly fat in six months, while those on a dummy pill lose almost none.

99%

A hormone treatment called tesamorelin decreases belly fat by 42 square centimeters more than a placebo in people with HIV who have excess abdominal fat after six months of treatment.

96%

A daily injection called tesamorelin helps HIV patients on medication lose belly fat inside their abdomen, while a fake shot doesn’t.

96%

Continuing tesamorelin for a full year helps HIV patients with belly fat lose nearly 18% of their dangerous internal belly fat, with no loss of benefit over time.

96%

The drug only melts the fat deep inside the belly, not the fat you can pinch on the skin or in the arms and legs.

95%