title: Indinavir-associated lipodystrophy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lipodystrophies are rare cutaneous disorders characterized by the symmetrical loss of subcutaneous fat from the body surface. The cause of lipodystrophy is not known, but a possible genetic predisposition is likely and either overt diabetes mellitus or insulin resistance are often associated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight patients who developed either partial or generalized lipodystrophy after protease inhibitor therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all eight patients lipodystrophy occurred after 2-12 months of starting indinavir and was not preceded by weight loss or inflammatory skin disease. Short-term follow-up after withdrawal of therapy showed no change in the patients' appearance. One patient developed glycosuria as lipodystrophy became manifest. In three cases glucose tolerance test was performed revealing a high level of insulin between the first and third hour of loading.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our view, lipodystrophy is an unwanted side-effect of protease inhibitor therapy causing noticeable disfigurement.
authors.affiliation: Service de Dermatologie, Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Viraben
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Aquilina
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D019469:Indinavir / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008060:Lipodystrophy / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D019469:Indinavir