– Study by Kaiser Permanente researchers highlights weight gain in HIV patients undergoing antiretroviral therapy (ART).
– 8,256 HIV patients and 129,966 non-HIV individuals from 3 Kaiser Permanente regions were included, matched by sex, age, and race or ethnicity.
– Annual BMI increase was significantly higher in HIV patients (0.53 kg/m2) compared to non-HIV individuals (0.12 kg/m2) post-ART initiation.
Weight gain patterns varied slightly by ART medication class, with integrase inhibitors and protease inhibitors showing higher increases compared
– While weight gain is common early in HIV treatment, BMI typically stabilizes after the initial 2-year period.
Importance stressed on healthcare providers monitoring HIV patients' weight and cardiometabolic health