Review
HIV-associated adipose redistribution syndrome (HARS): definition, epidemiology and clinical impact
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* Corresponding author: Eric Freedland eric.freedland@emdserono.com
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
AIDS Research and Therapy 2007, 4:16 doi:10.1186/1742-6405-4-16
Published: 16 July 2007Abstract
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.