Relationship between lipoatrophy and quality of life.

An informal yet comprehensive literature review of abstracts published in Medline was undertaken to identify papers that reported on how facial aging, lipodystrophy, and facial lipoatrophy affect quality of life. Facial lipoatrophy can erode self-esteem, cause psychological distress, and lead to depression. Persons with HIV infection encounter both stigmatization and marginalization as a result of facial lipoatrophy. In addition to exploring novel antiretroviral therapies that do not result in lipodystrophy, clinicians should consider treatments that correct the appearance of lipoatrophy for patients who feel adversely affected by the condition.