Even when scientists account for how much belly fat was lost, the fat that’s left still gets denser and healthier-looking on scans — meaning the drug is doing something beyond just shrinking fat.
Scientific Claim
In people living with HIV (PWH) with central adiposity who respond to tesamorelin, the increase in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) density is not explained by reductions in VAT area, as the effect remains significant (2.3 HU increase) after statistical adjustment for fat quantity changes.
Original Statement
“The tesamorelin effects persisted after controlling for baseline VAT or SAT HU and area, and VAT [+2.3 HU, 95% confidence interval (4.5–7.3), P = 0.001) or SAT (+3.5 HU, 95% confidence interval (2.3–4.7), P < 0.001] area change.”
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 is directly supported by the adjusted analysis in the results. The verb 'is not explained by' accurately reflects the statistical control without overreaching.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Tesamorelin improves fat quality independent of changes in fat quantity
Even though tesamorelin shrinks belly fat, it also makes the remaining fat cells healthier and denser — and this improvement happens whether or not the fat gets smaller, meaning the fat itself is getting better quality, not just less.