Body composition, hepatic fat, metabolic, and safety outcomes of tesamorelin in HIV-associated lipodystrophy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Badran AS, Helal A, Shata KS, Ayesh H (2026). Obesity Research & Clinical Practice.
Summary
A systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of five randomised trials of tesamorelin, a growth hormone-releasing hormone analogue, against placebo in adults with HIV-associated lipodystrophy. Tesamorelin was associated with reductions in visceral adipose tissue (mean difference -27.7 cm2), trunk fat, hepatic fat and waist circumference, and a rise in lean body mass, with no significant change in subcutaneous fat, BMI or CD4 counts. The reported adverse events included joint and muscle pain, paraesthesia and injection-site reactions. The authors rate the certainty with GRADE; no competing interests were declared.