Management of dyslipidemia in patients with complicated metabolic syndrome

As the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome increases, 2 comorbid conditions--hepatic steatosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) lipodystrophy--have become difficult clinical challenges. Dyslipidemia in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis may improve with use of statins, fibrates, niacin, and thiazolidinediones, but the data are presently very limited. HIV lipodystrophy is associated with a marked risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), and more aggressive management of the dyslipidemia is likely necessary to improve the prognosis.