Lipodystrophy: focus on HIV Lipodystrophy

Lipodystrophy is a rare condition which can be inherited or acquired, localised or generalised. It is characterised by abnormal adipose tissue distribution and in some cases underlying metabolic derangement, including diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridemia, hepatic steatosis, polycystic ovaries and acanthosis nigricans. Today, most cases of lipodystrophy are associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This article gives a review of the possible mechanisms associated with HIV lipodystrophy, namely HIV infection itself, genetic susceptibility to HIV lipodystrophy and effects of treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Treating HIV lipodystrophy is challenging. The various treatment options currently available for treating lipodystrophy are reviewed.