Body composition by DEXA in PIs-naive HIV-infected patients treated with two nucleoside analogues

As there are insufficient data regarding lipodystrophy syndromes in HIV-1 i nfected patients not treated with protease inhibitors (PIs), we conducted b ody composition studies by DEXA (Hologic 4500) in 15 PIs-naive HIV(+) patie nts (11 males, 4 females), aged 39+/-9.4 years with mean CD4=406 cells/mu l on two NRTIs. Eight patients were on ZDV+3TC and 7 on ZDV+ddI. Subjects we re evaluated at the beginning of therapy and 24 months later. For each pati ent body weight, CD4(+) T-cell counts, Bone Mineral Content (BMC), whole bo dy as well as regional Fat and Lean Body Mass were evaluated. In both group s a significant decrease in BMC was observed. Patients on ZDV+3TC exhibited a significant reduction in body weight exclusively due to Fat loss, while Lean was not affected. Fat loss was statistically significant in arms and l egs, but not in trunk. The above parameters exhibited no significant change s in the ZDV+ddI group.