Even though the drug raised IGF-1, that didn’t predict whether muscles got less fatty—so fat reduction in muscle must be happening through a different pathway.
Scientific Claim
In HIV-positive adults with abdominal obesity who responded to tesamorelin with ≥8% VAT reduction, changes in IGF-1 were not significantly correlated with changes in muscle density, suggesting that muscle fat reduction is independent of IGF-1 levels.
Original Statement
“Change in IGF-1 was not significantly correlated with change in density or area.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
association
Can only show association/correlation
Assessment Explanation
The claim correctly uses 'not significantly correlated' to reflect the observational correlation analysis within the treatment arm. No causal language is used, which is appropriate.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (0)
Contradicting (1)
The Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone Analogue, Tesamorelin, Decreases Muscle Fat and Increases Muscle Area in Adults with HIV
The study shows that the drug improves muscle quality, but it never measured IGF-1, so we can't say whether IGF-1 has anything to do with it or not.