Plateau in body habitus changes and serum lipid abnormalities in HIV-positive women on highly active antiretroviral therapy: A 3.5-year study

Background: In a previously reported study, 21 women (propositi) who reported changes in body habitus during highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) were evaluated and compared with 21 women (comparison group) on HAART who did not report body habitus changes. Mean durations of HAART at baseline evaluation were 12.5 and 15.2 months for the propositi and comparison group, respectively. Objective: Follow-up of the propositi and comparison group was conducted to determine whether body habitus changes and lipid abnormalities are progressive, stable, or improved with time and alteration of the HAART regimen. Methods: Patients were evaluated by standardized interview, physical examination, body weight, body mass index, CD4 cell count, plasma HIV RNA levels, and lipid profiles. Results: Fourteen of 21 propositi were available for follow-up. The mean duration of HAART was 42.7 months; body habitus changes were stable in 10 of the 14 women. Thirteen of 21 women in the comparison group were available for follow-up after a mean duration of HAART of 38.5 months; 2 of the 13 women had developed body habitus changes at follow-up. In both groups, mean serum lipid values at follow-up remained elevated to levels associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Conclusions: Body habitus changes in women most often developed within I year of initiation of HAART. Changes were largely stable after 2.5 additional years of HAART. Only modest and inconsistent improvement was achieved with alteration in the HAART regimen. Serum lipid abnormalities evident within the first year of HAART were also stable with 2.5 additional years of therapy.