Tesamorelin increased rectus muscle density by 3.5 units in people with HIV and belly fat, which is about the same difference seen between people with and without back pain in other research.

Scientific Claim

The rectus abdominis muscle density increased by 3.5 Hounsfield units in tesamorelin-treated adults with HIV and abdominal obesity, a magnitude similar to the 3.4 HU difference in trunk muscle density between individuals with and without back pain observed in prior studies.

Original Statement

“Adults with moderate or severe back pain had lower trunk muscle density (by 3.4 HU) and poorer score in lower extremity performance tests (chair stands, timed pace walk, and timed standing balance) compared to healthy controls. The largest net increase was observed within the rectus abdominis (3.5 HU) of the tesamorelin arm.”

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 claim accurately describes the comparison to prior studies without overstating causation, using 'similar to' for descriptive context.

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

People with HIV and belly fat who responded to tesamorelin by losing belly fat saw their rectus and psoas muscles grow 0.44 cm² and 0.46 cm² larger than those on placebo after 26 weeks of treatment.

85%

Tesamorelin increased rectus lean muscle by 0.85 cm² in people with HIV and belly fat, and this effect stayed strong even after considering belly fat loss.

84%

People with HIV and belly fat who responded to tesamorelin by losing belly fat saw their trunk muscles grow larger in specific areas: rectus abdominis by 0.85 cm², psoas by 0.64 cm², and others by up to 1.08 cm² more than those on placebo after 26 weeks.

82%

HIV patients with belly fat who responded to tesamorelin had bigger rectus and psoas muscles (0.44 and 0.46 cm² larger) compared to placebo after 26 weeks.

82%

Tesamorelin increased rectus and psoas muscle size by 0.44 and 0.46 cm² in people with HIV and belly fat, and this effect remained even after accounting for belly fat loss.

82%