Which statement about HIV-associated lipodystrophy is true?

Which statement about HIV-associated lipodystrophy is true?

• A. It only affects visceral adipose tissue
• B. It never occurs with NRTIs
• C. It is always fully reversible with ART
• D. It can involve subcutaneous fat loss with visceral sparing or accumulation and may be insulin resistant

Answer: (D)

HIV-associated lipodystrophy is a pattern of fat redistribution caused by antiretroviral therapy. It often features loss of subcutaneous fat in the face, limbs, and buttocks, with central fat accumulation such as increased abdominal fat and a dorsocervical fat pad. This means the condition can involve subcutaneous fat loss with visceral fat being spared or increased, and it is commonly associated with insulin resistance and metabolic changes. The statement in question captures this variability: subcutaneous fat loss can occur with either normal/spared or increased visceral fat, and insulin resistance may be present. It is not restricted to visceral fat alone, and changes are not guaranteed to be fully reversed by ART—some fat redistribution and metabolic abnormalities can persist despite therapy changes.

HIV-associated lipodystrophy is a pattern of fat redistribution caused by antiretroviral therapy. It often features loss of subcutaneous fat in the face, limbs, and buttocks, with central fat accumulation such as increased abdominal fat and a dorsocervical fat pad. This means the condition can involve subcutaneous fat loss with visceral fat being spared or increased, and it is commonly associated with insulin resistance and metabolic changes.

The statement in question captures this variability: subcutaneous fat loss can occur with either normal/spared or increased visceral fat, and insulin resistance may be present. It is not restricted to visceral fat alone, and changes are not guaranteed to be fully reversed by ART—some fat redistribution and metabolic abnormalities can persist despite therapy changes.