Treatment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Associated Facial Lipoatrophy With Hyaluronic Acid Filler Mixed With Micronized Cross-Linked Acellular Dermal Matrix

• Published in: Journal of Korean medical science Vol. 37; no. 5; p. e37
• Main Authors: Kim, Jemin, Song, Seung Yong, Lee, Sang Gyu, Choi, Sooyeon, Lee, Young In, Choi, Jun Yong, Lee, Ju Hee
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences 07.02.2022; 대한의학회
• Subjects: Original; 의학일반; HIV; Lipoatrophy; Dermal Fillers
• ISSN: 1011-8934; 1598-6357
• DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e37

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated facial lipoatrophy (FLA) is a stigmatizing side effect associated with the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy. We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the hyaluronic acid filler mixed with micronized cross-linked acellular dermal matrix (HA/MADM) in HIV-associated FLA. We conducted an open-label safety and efficacy study in patients with HIV-associated FLA. Fourteen patients received single injection of the HA/MADM, and 13 patients completed the 24-week follow-up evaluation. Treatment efficacy, safety, and patient and physician satisfaction were evaluated. Repeated measure analysis of variance with post-hoc analysis with the Wilcoxon signed rank test was performed to compare and incorporate parameters at each time point. All 13 patients maintained a significant improvement of the Carruthers Lipoatrophy Severity Scale grade throughout the study period, along with improvement of the depressed volume due to lipoatrophy measured using a three-dimensional camera system. More than 80% of patients and physicians were satisfied with the treatment, and no treatment-related adverse events were reported, except for one case of transient subcutaneous nodule formation. Our study findings suggest that injectable HA/MADM is a potentially effective and safe treatment option for treating HIV-positive patients with FLA.