HIV patients with high liver enzymes who lost at least 8% of their visceral fat from the drug were 2.5 times more likely to have their ALT levels return to normal compared to those who didn't lose much fat.

Scientific Claim

Among HIV-infected patients with elevated baseline ALT or AST (>30 U/L), those achieving a ≥8% reduction in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) during tesamorelin treatment had 2.5 times higher odds of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) normalization (≤30 U/L) at 26 weeks compared to nonresponders (95% confidence interval 1.2–5.3, P=0.007).

Original Statement

“Among tesamorelin-treated subjects with elevated baseline transaminases, 35% of VAT responders compared to 18% of VAT nonresponders had normalization of ALT at week 26 (responders vs. nonresponders, P = 0.007). The odds of resolution of elevated ALT were 2.5 times higher (OR 95% CI 1.2, 5.3) among responders compared to nonresponders.”

From study:Visceral fat reduction with tesamorelin is associated with improved liver enzymes in HIV

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

The claim uses 'had 2.5 times higher odds' which correctly reflects the statistical association without implying causation.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Visceral fat reduction with tesamorelin is associated with improved liver enzymes in HIV

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2017 Oct 23

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Visceral fat reduction with tesamorelin is associated with improved liver enzymes in HIV

Score: 62

DOI: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000001614

Similar Assertions

HIV patients with high ALT who lost visceral fat had a 35% chance of normalizing their ALT levels after 6 months, compared to 18% who didn't lose fat, showing a clear benefit.

97%

HIV patients with high liver enzymes who lost at least 8% visceral fat after taking tesamorelin saw their ALT drop by about 9 units on average, while those without fat loss had a slight increase, showing a clear benefit from fat reduction.

96%

HIV patients with belly fat and high liver enzymes who lost at least 8% of their visceral fat from the drug saw their ALT drop by about 9 points (18%) and AST by 4 points (10%) after six months of treatment.

93%

For people with HIV and belly fat who have high liver enzyme levels, those who lost at least 8% of their visceral fat from the drug had much bigger drops in their liver enzyme numbers compared to those who didn't lose much fat, and this difference was statistically significant.

92%

Even after stopping tesamorelin and some fat coming back, the liver enzyme improvements stayed for a year in patients who initially lost visceral fat.

92%