Semipermanent filler treatment of HIV-positive patients with facial lipoatrophy: long-term follow-up evaluating MR imaging and quality of life

• Published in: Aesthetic surgery journal Vol. 34; no. 1; p. 118
• Main Authors: van Rozelaar, Leo, Kadouch, Jonathan A, Duyndam, Debbie A, Nieuwkerk, Pythia T, Lutgendorff, Femke, Karim, Refaat B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.01.2014
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biocompatible Materials - administration & dosage; Biocompatible Materials - adverse effects; Cosmetic Techniques - adverse effects; Durapatite - administration & dosage; Durapatite - adverse effects; Face; Female; HIV Seropositivity; HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome - diagnosis; HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome - psychology; HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome - therapy; HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome - virology; Humans; Injections, Subcutaneous; Lactic Acid - administration & dosage; Lactic Acid - adverse effects; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Polyesters; Polymers - administration & dosage; Polymers - adverse effects; Predictive Value of Tests; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Subcutaneous Fat - pathology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Time Factors; Treatment Outcome; lipoatrophy; HIV; MRI; cosmetic medicine; quality of life; combination antiretroviral therapy; fillers; facial
• ISSN: 1527-330X
• DOI: 10.1177/1090820X13515270

Injectable fillers such as poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) have shown promising results in the treatment of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART)-induced facial lipoatrophy (FLA). However, the effects of these substances on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have not yet been described. The authors analyze the association between the effects of treatment with semipermanent fillers on MRI and changes in quality of life (QOL). Eighty-two human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients with cART-induced FLA (grades 2-4) were enrolled in this prospective study. A mean volume of 58.2 mL (range, 12-105 mL) of PLLA (n = 41 patients) and 9.1 mL (range, 3-23 mL) of CaHA (n = 41) was injected in multiple sessions. The MRI examinations were performed prior to treatment and again 12 months after. The self-reported severity of FLA as well as QOL was measured using questionnaires based on Short Form 36, Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey, and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale formats. Significant increases in total subcutaneous thickness (TST) of the injected regions could be identified on MRI in nearly all patients 1 year posttreatment. Patients reported that mental health and social and role functioning improved; depressive symptoms decreased after treatment. In addition, the increase in TST was positively associated with improvement of QOL. This study confirms that treatment with both PLLA and CaHA not only increases TST but also is associated with improved QOL for HIV-infected patients. Furthermore, the study also demonstrates that MRI can show filler-induced neocollagenesis and quantify FLA treatment effects.