If HIV patients keep taking the injection for a full year, they lose even more belly fat inside their abdomen—about 18% total.

Scientific Claim

Continued use of tesamorelin (2 mg subcutaneous daily) for 12 months reduces visceral adipose tissue by approximately 18% in HIV-infected adults on antiretroviral therapy with abdominal fat accumulation, indicating sustained efficacy over time.

Original Statement

“VAT was reduced by approximately 18% (P < 0.001) in patients continuing tesamorelin for 12 months.”

From study:Effects of Tesamorelin, a Growth Hormone–Releasing Factor, in HIV-Infected Patients With Abdominal Fat Accumulation: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial With a Safety Extension

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design supports claim

Appropriate Language Strength

definitive

Can make definitive causal claims

Assessment Explanation

The 12-month data comes from a continuation of the RCT design with randomization and blinding, supporting definitive causal language.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Effects of Tesamorelin, a Growth Hormone–Releasing Factor, in HIV-Infected Patients With Abdominal Fat Accumulation: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial With a Safety Extension

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2010 Mar

This study found that giving HIV patients a daily shot of tesamorelin for a year shrunk their belly fat by about 18%, and the fat didn’t come back as long as they kept taking it.

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Effects of Tesamorelin, a Growth Hormone–Releasing Factor, in HIV-Infected Patients With Abdominal Fat Accumulation: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial With a Safety Extension

Score: 81

DOI: 10.1097/QAI.0b013e3181cbdaff

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