Overview
HIV myopathy is a condition characterized by muscle wasting and weakness in individuals living with HIV (PLHIV). PLHIV generally exhibit lower muscle mass compared to individuals without HIV 1.Diagnosis
Sarcopenia in PLHIV can be defined by low muscle mass alone or by low muscle mass combined with low muscle strength 1.
The frequency of sarcopenia defined by low muscle mass (Baumgartner's operational definition) was 30.3% 1.
The frequency of sarcopenia defined by low muscle mass with low muscle strength (EWGSOP definition) was 4.5% 1.Management
Muscle mass differences in PLHIV compared to controls were associated with BMI, CD4 count, and the percentage of subjects on antiretroviral therapy (ART) 1.
Higher BMI, CD4 levels, and a greater percentage of subjects using ART appear to attenuate the difference in muscle mass 1.Key Recommendations
PLHIV have lower muscle mass when compared to people living without HIV 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
The difference in muscle mass between PLHIV and controls appears to be attenuated by higher BMI, CD4 levels, and the percentage of subjects using ART 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
Sarcopenia can be defined by low muscle mass alone or by low muscle mass with low muscle strength 1. (Evidence: Moderate)References
1 Guimarães NS, Raposo MA, Greco D, Tupinambás U, Premaor MO. People Living With HIV, Lean Mass, and Sarcopenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of clinical densitometry : the official journal of the International Society for Clinical Densitometry 2022. link