title: Lipodystrophy in HIV/AIDS patients with different levels of physical activity while on antiretroviral therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lipodystrophy is related to the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and can cause aesthetic stigma and increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. Physical activity may be a valid alternative for the treatment and prevention of lipodystrophy. However, few studies address this issue. The objective of this study was to assess lipodystrophy related to highly active antiretroviral therapy in HIV/AIDS patients with different physical activity habits.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample was composed of 42 HIV/AIDS patients taking HAART medication who were visiting the Counseling and Testing Center (CTC) in Presidente Prudente. The level of physical activity was obtained using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ); lipodystrophy was diagnosed using a self-report questionnaire that was administered to the patient and then followed up by medical confirmation. The percentage of trunk fat was estimated by dual X-Ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Information about sex, age, length of HAART treatment, CD4+ T lymphocyte count (CD4) and viral load was also collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A higher prevalence of lipodystrophy was observed in the sedentary group when compared to the physically active group, which indicates that physical activity may be a protective factor in relation to the occurrence of lipodystrophy. The group that had a higher CD4 had a higher proportion of lipodystrophy and a higher proportion of younger and physically active individuals. The patients with lipodystrophy had a higher percentage of trunk fat and were more sedentary than active individuals.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A physically active lifestyle has a protective effect against the occurrence of lipodystrophy related to HAART.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Mestrado em Fisioterapia, Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho, Presidente Prudente, SP, Brasil. aline_segatto@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Aline Francielle Mota
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Segatto
authors.forename: Ismael Forte
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Freitas Junior
authors.forename: Vanessa Ribeiro dos
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Kelly Cristina Pinto
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Dulce Aparecida
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.forename: Alexandre Martins
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Portelinha Filho
authors.forename: Henrique Luiz
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Monteiro
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001823:Body Composition; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D039682:HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D012307:Risk Factors; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D019562:Viral Load