Fat Distribution and Metabolic Abnormalities in HIV-Infected Patients on First Combination Antiretroviral Therapy Including Stavudine or Zidovudine: Role of Physical Activity as a Protective Factor

Abstract

The use of stavudine or zidovudine in the context of the first combination antiretroviral therapy is not associated either with an increased likelihood of lipid or gonadal hormones abnormalities, and although there was a trend to a lesser body fat content in the stavudine group, there was no increase in the overall likelihood of fat redistribution syndromes with respect to zidovudine group. Physical activity is a protective factor for the development of fat redistribution syndromes.