Body changes: antiretroviral therapy and lipodystrophy syndrome in people living with HIV/AIDS.

Objective: to identify the different types of morphological alterations from lipodystrophy syndrome (LS) in outpatients and relate them to the therapeutic regimen used.

Method: a cross-sectional study which recruited 60 patients with HIV and LS and 79 without LS, who consented to interview and data collection from their medical notes.

Results: the region most affected by lipoatrophy was the face; by lipohypertrophy, the abdomen, and by the mixed form, the alterations to the abdomen, face, and upper and lower limbs.

Conclusion: among the therapeutic regimens, that comprised of zidovudine, lamivudine and efavirenz seemed to protect against LS. Nursing can act in the early identification of the changes, as well as providing guidance and support for patients affected by the changes in their body image.