Impact of lipodystrophy syndrome on the quality of life of patients receiving antiretroviral treatment

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Bibliographic Data

ID19444114
AuthorsJair Caetano de Oliveira (Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná), Nayara Flores Macedo (Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná), Nzuzi Mayitondelua (Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná), Isabela Pietra Buccio (Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná), Mariele Kruppa (0009-0009-6353-1224, Prefeitura Municipal de Curitiba), Sérgio Aparecido Ignácio (0000-0002-8242-3781, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná), Elisa Souza Camargo (0000-0002-7382-1526, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná), Juliana Schaia Rocha (0000-0001-7056-7422, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná), Juliana Schaia Rocha Orsi (Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná), Paulo Henrique Couto Souza (0000-0003-3655-397X, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná), Luciana Reis Azevedo-Alanis (Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná), Luciana Reis Azevedo‐Alanis (0000-0001-8809-3579, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná, corresponding author)
Year2026
Pages1-11
Publication date2026-02-11
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAIDS Care (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0954-0121 • E-ISSN: 1360-0451
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09540121.2026.2628894
PMID41674216
OpenAlexW7128690393
LanguageEN
References cited53

Although newer antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens have reduced the severity of lipodystrophy syndrome (LS), people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) still report body fat changes. This study evaluated the impact of LS on the quality of life (QoL) of PLWHA receiving ART for at least six months. Participants completed sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires, a self-perceived body changes questionnaire and the HAT-QoL scale. Facial lipoatrophy was assessed using the Facial Lipoatrophy Index (FLI). Student's t-test and chi-squared test were applied (5% significance). Among 95 participants, 77.9% were male, 62.1% identified as homosexual and 52.6% were under 40 years old. Most (76.8%) reported body changes, mainly in the abdomen, waist and limbs. Mean QoL score was 72.0. Lower scores in life satisfaction, medication concerns and HIV acceptance were observed among those reporting body changes (p < 0.05). Most participants showed mild facial lipoatrophy and objective facial volume loss was not significantly associated with QoL. PLWHA on ART exhibited reduced QoL, particularly those with self-perceived LS-related body changes, highlighting the need for clinical monitoring and psychosocial support

Antiretroviral therapy · Body mass index · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) · Lipoatrophy · Lipodystrophy · Psychosocial · Quality of life (healthcare) · HIV Research and Treatment · HIV-related health complications and treatments · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions

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