People with HIV and belly fat who responded to tesamorelin had 0.64 to 1.08 square centimeters more lean muscle in their trunk muscles compared to those who didn't take the drug.

Scientific Claim

Tesamorelin responders with HIV and abdominal obesity showed a 0.64 to 1.08 cm² increase in lean muscle area across all four trunk muscle groups compared to placebo.

Original Statement

“significant increases were also seen in the lean muscle area of all four truncal muscle groups (0.64-1.08 centimeters2; p<0.005).”

From study:The Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone Analogue, Tesamorelin, Decreases Muscle Fat and Increases Muscle Area in Adults with 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 RCT design supports causal claims for the specific population, but the critical analysis recommends 'association' language. The claim uses appropriate phrasing.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

The Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone Analogue, Tesamorelin, Decreases Muscle Fat and Increases Muscle Area in Adults with HIV

Randomized Controlled Trial

Human

2019

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

The Growth Hormone Releasing Hormone Analogue, Tesamorelin, Decreases Muscle Fat and Increases Muscle Area in Adults with HIV

Score: 60

DOI: 10.14283/jfa.2018.45

Similar Assertions

HIV patients with belly fat who responded to tesamorelin had more lean muscle mass in all four trunk muscles, with increases between 0.64 and 1.08 cm² compared to placebo after 26 weeks.

95%

This drug didn’t just make muscles less fatty—it also made them bigger in size, adding about half a square inch of lean muscle in the core area after six months.

94%

Even after accounting for belly fat loss, tesamorelin still increased lean muscle in people with HIV and belly fat, suggesting other factors are involved.

92%

For HIV patients with belly fat who responded to tesamorelin, the drug was linked to better muscle density in four trunk muscles, with improvements between 1.56 and 4.86 units compared to placebo after 26 weeks.

92%

For people with HIV and belly fat who responded to tesamorelin, the drug helped increase muscle density in their trunk muscles by 1.56 to 4.86 units compared to those who didn't take it.

92%