When HIV patients with belly fat responded to tesamorelin, thicker visceral fat (as seen on CT scans) was linked to higher levels of adiponectin, a hormone that helps regulate metabolism.
Scientific Claim
In people living with HIV with central adiposity who responded to tesamorelin treatment, increases in visceral adipose tissue density were positively correlated with increases in adiponectin levels (r=0.19, p=0.02) after adjusting for visceral fat area change.
Original Statement
“Adiponectin (μg/mL) 0.19 0.02”
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 correlational claims, and the language 'positively correlated' accurately reflects the statistical relationship observed.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (0)
Contradicting (1)
Tesamorelin improves fat quality independent of changes in fat quantity
The study shows that the drug makes fat cells healthier and denser, but it never measured a hormone called adiponectin, so we can't tell if the hormone went up with the fat improvement.