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.

Scientific Claim

Tesamorelin reduces visceral adipose tissue by 42 cm² compared to placebo in HIV-infected adults with abdominal fat accumulation over 6 months.

Original Statement

“Tesamorelin significantly reduced visceral adipose tissue (mean change, -34 cm2 [95% CI, -53 to -15 cm2] with tesamorelin vs 8 cm2 [95% CI, -14 to 30 cm2] with placebo; treatment effect, -42 cm2 [95% CI, -71 to -14 cm2]; P = .005)”

From study:Effect of tesamorelin on visceral fat and liver fat in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation: a randomized clinical trial.

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

definitive

Can make definitive causal claims

Assessment Explanation

As a randomized controlled trial with randomization and control group, this study design can establish causation for primary endpoints. The use of 'reduces' is appropriate for the primary outcome.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Effect of tesamorelin on visceral fat and liver fat in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation: a randomized clinical trial.

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2014 Jul 23-30

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Effect of tesamorelin on visceral fat and liver fat in HIV-infected patients with abdominal fat accumulation: a randomized clinical trial.

Score: 73

DOI: 10.1001/jama.2014.8334

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