For people with HIV and fatty liver on INSTI drugs, taking a placebo for a year leads to a 10.8% increase in belly fat.

Scientific Claim

In individuals with HIV and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) taking integrase inhibitor (INSTI)-containing antiretroviral therapy, placebo treatment for 12 months results in a 10.8% increase in visceral adipose tissue.

Original Statement

“The placebo group had an increase in VAT of 10.8%”

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

definitive

Can make definitive causal claims

Assessment Explanation

This is a direct measurement from the study's results, so descriptive language is appropriate. No causal inference is needed for this factual observation.

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 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

88%

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.

85%

Out of 61 people with HIV and fatty liver in the study, 39 were on INSTI drugs, and most of those (41%) were taking dolutegravir.

82%

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.

80%

For people with HIV and fatty liver on INSTI drugs, taking tesamorelin for a year likely reduces liver fat by 31% compared to their starting point, which is much better than the tiny change seen in those on a placebo.

79%