Cytokine Disturbances Cause HAART-associated Lipodystrophy

The pathogenesis of HAART-associated lipodystrophystill remains largely unknown. The lackof a standard definition, with subsequent largedifferences in the incidence and prevalence ofthe syndrome in different studies, makes it difficultto obtain valid conclusions with regard to itsetiology and pathogenesis. What is becoming increasinglyclear is that the development oflipodystrophy is related to potent therapy ratherthan to HIV infection itself. However, it remains tobe established whether lipodystrophy is the sideeffect of a particular drug (or group of drugs) orit is an unspecific effect of any medication, whenit produces virological control and immune reconstitution.