The objectives of this study were to document the prevalence of facial
lipodystrophy in patients with
HIV infection receiving
protease inhibitors and to identify associated factors. All patients with
HIV infection receiving
protease inhibitors seen at an HIV clinic in Hong Kong during a 2-month period, from August to October 1997, were assessed for facial
lipodystrophy. Among 29 patients who had been receiving
indinavir for 3 months or more, facial
lipodystrophy was found in 7 (24%). Facial
lipodystrophy in these patients was found to be an isolated event and was not associated with noticeable wasting elsewhere. The development of facial
lipodystrophy was not found to be associated with age, sex, ethnicity, route of HIV transmission, CD4 cell count, history of
AIDS-defining illness, or concurrent anti-retroviral treatment. Facial
lipodystrophy was not observed in patients who had received
indinavir for less than 3 months. The condition was also not found in patients taking other
protease inhibitors, although this could be due to the small sample size. Prospective study of this condition with a larger sample and with objective anthropomorphic measurements would be desirable. In conclusion, facial
lipodystrophy is a common occurrence among patients receiving
indinavir, and physicians should be alerted to this condition.