For people with HIV and fatty liver disease who are taking integrase inhibitor drugs, taking tesamorelin for a year likely helped reduce belly fat, while those on a placebo saw their belly fat increase.

Scientific Claim

In individuals with HIV and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease receiving integrase inhibitor therapy, tesamorelin treatment for 12 months was likely associated with a reduction in visceral adipose tissue compared to placebo, with a mean change of -8.3% versus +10.8% (p=0.0034).

Original Statement

“After 12 months, there was a significant difference in VAT change between the placebo and tesamorelin treated groups (p=0.0034). The placebo group had an increase in VAT of 10.8% whereas the Tesamorelin treated group had an overall reduction in VAT of 8.3%.”

From study:1499. Tesamorelin Reduces Visceral Adipose Tissue and Liver Fat in INSTI-Treated Persons with HIV

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

probability

Can suggest probability/likelihood

Assessment Explanation

The study design (RCT) supports causal inference but with reduced confidence due to unknown blinding, so probability verbs like 'likely associated' are appropriate.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

1499. Tesamorelin Reduces Visceral Adipose Tissue and Liver Fat in INSTI-Treated Persons with HIV

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

1499. Tesamorelin Reduces Visceral Adipose Tissue and Liver Fat in INSTI-Treated Persons with HIV

Score: 63

DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad500.1334

Similar Assertions

For people with HIV and fatty liver disease on certain HIV drugs, taking tesamorelin for a year likely reduces belly fat by 8.3% while placebo makes it increase by 10.8%.

99%

For people with HIV and fatty liver who are taking INSTI drugs, taking tesamorelin made their belly fat decrease by 8.3% after a year, while those on a dummy pill saw their belly fat increase by 10.8%. This finding is from the abstract summary - full study details were not available

95%

For people with HIV and fatty liver disease on integrase inhibitors, taking tesamorelin for a year likely reduced liver fat by almost 5%, while the placebo group saw almost no change.

95%

For people with HIV and fatty liver disease on INSTI drugs, tesamorelin likely reduces liver fat by 4.9% while placebo has almost no effect (0.1% decrease) after a year.

95%

For people with HIV and fatty liver who are on INSTI drugs, taking tesamorelin for a year likely reduces belly fat by 8.3%, while those on a placebo see a 10.8% increase in belly fat.

94%