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

Scientific Claim

In individuals with HIV and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) taking integrase inhibitors (INSTIs), tesamorelin treatment reduced visceral adipose tissue by 8.3% after 12 months, compared to a 10.8% increase in the placebo group.

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

overstated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

probability

Can suggest probability/likelihood

Assessment Explanation

The study is a post-hoc analysis of an RCT subgroup, so causal language should use probability verbs like 'may reduce' instead of definitive 'reduced'.

More Accurate Statement

“In individuals with HIV and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) taking integrase inhibitors (INSTIs), tesamorelin treatment may reduce visceral adipose tissue by 8.3% after 12 months, compared to a 10.8% increase in the placebo group.”

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 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.

97%

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.

95%

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, tesamorelin lowered liver fat by 4.9% compared to almost no change (0.1%) in the placebo group, which was a significant difference. This finding is from the abstract summary - full study details were not available

92%

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.

91%