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  • Original Article
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Body composition, energy expenditure and physical activity

Proposed ratios and cutoffs for the assessment of lipodystrophy in HIV-seropositive individuals

European Journal of Clinical Nutrition volume 69, pages 274–278 (2015)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objectives:

To propose objective ratios using anthropometry and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and to suggest cutoff points for them in order to classify lipodystrophy in male patients.

Methods:

It is a cross-sectional study. DXA was applied and anthropometric measurements were performed in 100 men on highly active antiretroviral therapy. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to propose cutoffs. Individuals were divided in without (lipo−) or with (lipo+) lipodystrophy and their metabolic parameters were compared.

Results:

The following ratios were proposed: fat mass ratio by DXA (FMR), waist thigh ratio (WTR), waist calf ratio (WCR), and arm to trunk ratio (ATR). The best cutoffs observed for FMR, WTR and ATR were 1.26, 1.74 and 2.08, respectively. Using the proposed cutoff for FMR, we observed worse metabolic profile, with increased tryglicerides, fasting serum glucose and more hypercholesterolemia in the lipo+ group. WTR and ATR showed a significant correlation with FMR.

Conclusions:

Anthropometric ratios (WTR/ATR) and FMR can be used to aid the diagnosis of lipodystrophy in order to contribute to a more accurate and earlier diagnosis permitting intervention and even preventing metabolic disturbances.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Infectious Disease Ambulatory division of the Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Brazil. We would like to acknowledge Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) for partially supporting this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil,

    R A Beraldo, A M Navarro, F J Albuquerque de Paula & M C Foss-Freitas

  2. Health Promotion Program, University of Franca, Franca, Brazil,

    H S Vassimon

  3. Department of Pediatrics, Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil

    D C Aragon

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  1. R A Beraldo
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  2. H S Vassimon
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  3. D C Aragon
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  4. A M Navarro
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  5. F J Albuquerque de Paula
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  6. M C Foss-Freitas
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Correspondence to R A Beraldo.

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Beraldo, R., Vassimon, H., Aragon, D. et al. Proposed ratios and cutoffs for the assessment of lipodystrophy in HIV-seropositive individuals. Eur J Clin Nutr 69, 274–278 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2014.149

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ejcn.2014.149

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