In HIV patients with belly fat, higher amounts of visceral fat were linked to higher liver enzyme levels at the start of the study.

Scientific Claim

In HIV-infected patients with abdominal obesity, baseline visceral adipose tissue was positively associated with alanine aminotransferase levels (P=0.01).

Original Statement

“At baseline, VAT was positively associated with ALT (P = 0.01).”

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 study design supports association claims. The language appropriately reflects the observed correlation 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

In people with HIV and belly fat, higher amounts of visceral fat were linked to higher liver enzyme levels even when accounting for other factors like sex and hepatitis.

97%

In people with HIV and belly fat, having more visceral fat was linked to higher levels of a liver enzyme called ALT, which suggests a connection between belly fat and liver health.

95%

In people with HIV and belly fat, the amount of visceral fat didn't correlate with liver enzyme AST levels when other factors like sex and hepatitis were considered.

92%

For people with HIV and belly fat who have high liver enzyme levels, those who lose at least 8% of their visceral fat see a bigger drop in ALT levels than those who don't lose that much fat.

91%

When people with HIV and belly fat lost fat from a placebo pill, their liver enzymes didn't improve, but when they lost fat from tesamorelin, their liver enzymes did improve.

90%