Overview
HIV-associated lipodystrophy is a syndrome of abnormal body fat distribution and metabolic disturbance that can occur in people living with HIV, particularly in association with certain antiretroviral therapies. It is characterized by the loss of fat (lipoatrophy) from the face, arms, legs, and buttocks and the accumulation of fat (lipohypertrophy) in the abdomen, upper back, and breasts, sometimes occurring together. The condition is frequently accompanied by metabolic abnormalities such as insulin resistance, altered blood lipids, and an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic complications. Although not usually life-threatening in itself, lipodystrophy can cause significant physical changes, psychological distress, and stigma, and it may affect adherence to treatment. Its development has been linked to specific drug classes, the duration of therapy, and patient factors, and management includes adjusting treatment regimens and addressing the associated metabolic risks. As a journal of HIV/AIDS research and prevention, this title's scope includes antiretroviral therapy and its effects; related peer-reviewed work has examined patterns of antiretroviral use and adverse drug reactions and cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors among people living with HIV. This page serves as a reference entry on HIV-associated lipodystrophy within the journal's broader study of HIV treatment and its complications.
Research published in this journal
6 peer-reviewed articles, ranked by relevance. Each links to its DOI.
High Rate of Asymptomatic Myocardial Ischemia in HIV Infected Population in Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso
Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among People Being Treated for HIV in Nepal: A Cross-Sectional Study
Physical Activity and Risk Factors Screening for Ischaemic Heart Disease in South African Individuals Living with HIV
Clinical and Immunological Beneficial Effects of Phyto V7 Consumption by HIV-1 Seropositive Individuals
How this research is being cited
The 6 articles above have been cited 9 times in the scholarly literature. Citation data via OpenAlex and Crossref, updated Jun 2026.
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Kganetso Sekome et al. · 2024 · BMC Public Health
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2023 · International Journal of Health Promotion and Education
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J. Assob et al. · 2019 · Online Journal of Cardiovascular Research
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2018 · Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care
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2017 · AIDS Care
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2016 · Journal of Clinical Research in HIV AIDS and Prevention
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Shamiya Sadiq et al. · 2016 ·
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JoAnn P. Pfeiffer et al. · 2015 · Therapeutic Innovation and Regulatory Science
A sample of recent works citing this journal's research on Hiv-associated Lipodystrophy, linking to each citing work.