AIDS Research and Therapy

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HIV-associated adipose redistribution syndrome (HARS): definition, epidemiology and clinical impact

Kenneth Lichtenstein1, Ashok Balasubramanyam2, Rajagopal Sekhar2 and Eric Freedland3*

Author Affiliations

1 University of Colorado Infectious Disease Group Practice, Denver, CO, USA

2 Translational Metabolism Unit, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA

3 EMD Serono, Inc., Rockland, MA, USA

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AIDS Research and Therapy 2007, 4:16 doi:10.1186/1742-6405-4-16

Published: 16 July 2007

Abstract

A segment of the HIV infected population develops abnormal and excessive accumulation of adipose tissue in the trunk, including accumulation of visceral (deep abdominal) adipose tissue. This condition, known as HIV-related adipose redistribution syndrome (HARS), may also be accompanied by fat accumulation in the upper back/neck (dorsocervical region) and/or depletion of subcutaneous adipose tissue from the abdomen, face, limbs, or buttocks. HARS is estimated to occur in up to 32% of patients and is associated with health risks similar to those of metabolic syndrome. Techniques to detect and measure HARS include physician and patient assessments and radiologic or anthropometric methods.