Abstract

AIDS: Several research teams attended the 1st International Workshop on Adverse Drug Reactions and Liposdystrophy in HIV. Under discussion were the effects of reverse transcriptase (RT) inhibitors and nucleoside RT inhibitors (NRTIs) on lipodystrophy, also known as fat redistribution. Key findings included correlating lipodystrophy with long-term treatment by RTs, linking fat redistribution to Stavudine (d4T), and determining effects of various protease inhibitors which contribute to lipodystrophy. Results from an Italian study showed women were more likely than men to have fat abnormalities. An Australian research team presented a cohort study detailing risk factors for lipodystrophy. Harmful consequences of lipodystrophy were reviewed, such as increased cardiac risk due to elevated plasma triglycerides and cholesterol, and increased incidence of diabetes. The drawbacks of antiretroviral treatment tactics were also discussed. In addition, lipodystrophy treatments include aerobics and resistance training, injections of recombinant human growth hormone, and lipid-lowering drugs.