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.

Scientific Claim

In individuals with HIV and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) taking integrase inhibitor (INSTI)-containing antiretroviral therapy, tesamorelin treatment for 12 months likely reduces visceral adipose tissue by 8.3% compared to a 10.8% increase in the placebo group (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 is an RCT with randomization and control group, but blinding status is unknown, so causal inference is possible but with reduced confidence. Using 'likely reduces' appropriately reflects the probability verb strength recommended for this study.

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

97%

For people with HIV and fatty liver on INSTI drugs, taking tesamorelin for a year likely reduces liver fat by 4.9% compared to a tiny 0.1% reduction in those on a placebo.

94%

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.

94%

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%.

94%

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.

93%