Even if your fat started out looking healthier or less healthy on the scan, the drug still made it denser — the effect doesn’t depend on where you started.

Scientific Claim

In people living with HIV (PWH) with central adiposity, the effect of tesamorelin on fat density is independent of baseline fat density, as the increase persisted after adjusting for baseline Hounsfield Unit values.

Original Statement

“The tesamorelin effects persisted after controlling for baseline VAT or SAT HU and area...”

From study:Tesamorelin improves fat quality independent of changes in fat quantity

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

definitive

Can make definitive causal claims

Assessment Explanation

The claim accurately reflects the statistical adjustment performed and does not overreach beyond the data. Language is precise and evidence-based.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Tesamorelin improves fat quality independent of changes in fat quantity

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

Even if someone started with very low-quality fat, tesamorelin still made their fat healthier and denser — and this improvement wasn’t just because they lost fat, but because the drug itself improved fat quality.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Tesamorelin improves fat quality independent of changes in fat quantity

Score: 66

DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000002897

Similar Assertions

The fat gets healthier-looking on scans even if the amount of fat doesn’t change — the drug is improving the fat itself, not just shrinking it.

96%

Only HIV patients whose belly fat shrinks by at least 8% after taking this drug also get healthier-looking fat on scans — others don’t benefit in this way.

93%

The fat got healthier-looking on scans after 6 months of treatment, and there’s no sign the effect faded — it lasted the whole time.

91%

If the drug doesn’t shrink your belly fat by 8%, it won’t make your fat healthier-looking on scans — you have to respond to the drug for this benefit.

91%

The same drug that reduces belly fat in HIV patients also makes the fat under the skin denser and healthier-looking on scans, even when the amount of fat doesn’t change much.

91%