Lipodystrophy: a complication of protease inhibitors in HIV seropositive patients.

Indinavir-induced lipodystrophy constitutes a new complication of this ther apeutic category. It is characterized by loss of fat from the face and limb s and accumulation of fat in the abdominal wall (possibly simulating an abd ominal mass), but also in the abdominal cavity (retroperitoneum, greater om entum, mesocolon, mesentery). This complication, whose frequency is current ly assessed to be between 24 to 64%, occurs an average of 10 months after s tarting treatment. It is often accompanied by laboratory abnormalities, suc h as hypertriglyceridaemia, hypercholesterolaemia or insulin resistance. Th e pathophysiology and long-term consequences of this complication are still poorly understood.