The Effect of Anti-HIV Therapy on Fat Metabolism in HIV-Positive Patients

The purpose of this study is to see how taking certain anti-HIV drugs affects the way the body metabolizes fat. This study will evaluate patients who are enrolled in CPCRA 058 (the FIRST \[Flexible Initial Retrovirus Suppressive Therapies\] study) by looking for changes in cholesterol levels, levels of fat in the blood, and body fat distribution. Patients in the FIRST study receive an anti-HIV drug regimen which contains a protease inhibitor (PI), a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI), or both. Anti-HIV drug therapy using PIs has become very common treatment for HIV-positive patients. Recently, however, serious side effects involving how the body uses fat are being reported in patients taking PIs. Examples of these side effects are a redistribution of body fat, high cholesterol level, and development of diabetes. However, some of these side effects have also been seen in patients who are not taking PIs. It is important to determine whether or not these side effects are directly related to PI use. In this study, patients on different drug combinations, either with or without a PI, will be compared.