People with HIV who have belly fat and are on medication to control the virus who took tesamorelin had a waist size that was about 2.7 centimeters smaller on average compared to those who didn't, and this difference was statistically significant. This finding is from the abstract summary - full study details were not available
Scientific Claim
In virally suppressed, abdominally obese individuals with HIV, tesamorelin treatment is associated with a median reduction of 2.7 cm in waist circumference compared to standard of care after 6 months (P=0.015).
Original Statement
“The tesamorelin group had a greater reduction in WC than the SOC group (median difference, −2.7 cm; P = .015).”
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 is a randomized trial, which can support association claims. The abstract explicitly states the median difference and p-value, and the claim uses 'associated with' which is appropriate given the study's limitations preventing causal conclusions.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Effects of Tesamorelin on Neurocognitive Impairment in Abdominally Obese Persons with HIV.