title: Lipodystrophy syndrome associated with antiretroviral therapy in HIV patients: considerations for psychosocial aspects.
abstract: Several side effects have been strongly associated with antiretroviral therapy in HIV patients. Among them, the lipodystrophy syndrome which presents alterations in body shape with central adipose hypertrophy and peripheral lipoatrophy, reported by patients as a visible marker identifying them as HIV patients. This manuscript presents an analysis of current literature regarding the psychosocial aspects of HIV patients with lipodystrophy associated with antiretroviral therapy. The results show that the alterations in body shape can be disturbing in terms of psychosocial well being, affecting quality of life and increasing the stigma associated with the disease, with consequent disturbances in social relations. This analysis provides a preliminary review of the psychosocial aspects of lipodystrophy and further studies are needed for a better understanding of this complex syndrome, which could provide new information to be used in nursing care for HIV patients affected by this problem.
authors.affiliation: University of São Paulo at Ribeirão Preto, College of Nursing, WHO Collaborating Center for Nursing Research Development, Brazil. anapaula@eerp.usp.br
authors.forename: Ana Paula Morais
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Roberta Seron
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Sanches
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mill
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lucy
authors.forename: Pedro Fredemir
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Palha
authors.forename: Maria Célia Barcellos
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Dalri
mesh_terms: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008060:Lipodystrophy / Q000139:chemically induced*; D011584:Psychology; D011788:Quality of Life
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents