Objectives: Facial lipoatrophy can be a stigmatizing side effect of antiretroviral (AVR) treatment for HIV-infected patients. We sought to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of a new formulation of hyaluronic acid that can be injected in larger amounts and into deeper skin layers during 3 years of follow-up.
Methods: Twenty patients received injections of Restylane SubQ(). Refill treatment was offered at 12 and 24 months. Treatment effects were evaluated using ultrasound, the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale, visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale.
Results: Seventeen patients remained at 36 months. Mean (+/- standard deviation) total cutaneous thickness increased from 6 +/- 1 mm at baseline to 12 +/- 1 mm (P<0.001) at 36 months. Response rate (total cutaneous thickness >10 mm) was 70%. Fifteen patients classified their facial appearance as very much or moderately improved. VAS increased from 39 +/- 25 to 70 +/- 20 (P<0.05) and higher self-esteem scores were reported. Local swelling and tenderness after treatment was common. Persistent papules found in several patients after treatment were removed effectively with hyaluronidase injections. Three patients, treated only at baseline, still had higher total cutaneous thickness scores at 36 months.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that a large particle hyaluronic acid formulation is a durable and well-tolerated dermal filler for treating HIV-positive patients with facial lipoatrophy.