Gynecomastia
is a condition characterized by unusual enlargement of breast tissue in men. It
is known to occur in some men taking antiretroviral therapy which contains
efavirenz. We set out to investigate its frequency and outcomes at NewlandsClinic in Harare, Zimbabwe because these data haven’t been described. We
analyzed data for 1,432 men with an average age of 40 years, all aged 18 years and older.
Most of the men were of healthy weight with an average body mass index of 21.
73
men (5%) experienced gynecomastia during the follow up period (average follow
up time was 1.7 years). Three quarters of the gynecomastia cases occurred
within the first two years. When efavirenz was withdrawn, gynecomastia resolved
in 84% of the men within three months.
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| Gynecomastia vs normal chest. Picture credit: From https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/gynecomastia |
Key Messages:
- The incidence (number of new cases each year) of gynecomastia was low
- Half of the cases occurred within the first year of commencing efavirenz (75% within the first two years)
- 84% of the cases resolved within 3 months after stopping efavirenz and replacing with another ARV
- We did not find any factors significantly associated with developing gynecomastia
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