As the '3 by 5 strategy' of providing HIV drugs to the developing world is implemented worldwide, the numbers of patients adhering to antiretroviral medicines is dramatically increasing. One must be aware that in reducing the burden of acute retroviral disease, the treatments proposed might lead to significant rates of metabolic complications and further exacerbation of the epidemic of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

In July 2010, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued formal revisions of its guidelines on the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy for HIV. The new guidelines greatly expand eligibility for treatment of adults and children, as well as for pregnant women seeking prophylaxis for vertical HIV transmission. WHO's new recommendations bring the guidelines closer to practices in developed countries, and its shift to earlier treatment alone will increase the number of treatment-eligible people by 50% or more.Scaling up access to HIV treatment is revealing important gaps in our understanding of how best to provide for all those in need. This knowledge gap is especially significant in developing countries, where women and children comprise a majority of those living with HIV infection. Given the magnitude and significance of these populations, the International AIDS Society, through its Industry Liaison Forum, prioritized HIV treatment and prophylaxis of women and children. In March 2010, the International AIDS Society and 15 partners launched a Consensus Statement outlining priority areas in which a relative lack of knowledge impedes delivery of optimal prevention of mother to child transmission (PMTCT) and treatment to women and children.The Consensus Statement, "Asking the Right Questions: Advancing an HIV Research Agenda for Women and Children", makes a special appeal for a more gender-sensitive approach to HIV research at all stages, from conception to design and implementation. It particularly emphasizes research to enhance the understanding of sex-based differences and paediatric needs in treatment uptake and response. In addition to clinical issues, the statement focuses on programmatic research that facilitates access and adherence to antiretroviral regimens. Better coordination of HIV management with sexual and reproductive healthcare delivery is one such approach.We discuss here our knowledge gaps concerning effective, safe PMTCT and treatment for women and children in light of the expansion envisioned by WHO's revised guidelines. The guideline's new goals present an opportunity for advancing the women and children's agenda outlined in the Consensus Statement.

C hronic complications of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and highly active retroviral therapy have become increasingly relevant as life expectancy for HIV patients has improved and the affected population ages. HIV-associated lipodystrophy syndrome is characterised by an abnormal fat distribution syndrome associated with metabolic disturbances including insulin resistance, and deranged glucose and lipid metabolism. It is associated with increased risks of progression to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.Lipodystrophy is a clinical diagnosis and mostly subjective as standardised diagnostic criteria have not yet been defined. Several therapeutic interventions have been investigated including lifestyle therapy, vitamin supplements, switching antiretroviral therapy and specific therapies for insulin resistance and hyperlipidaemia. Current management options for HIV associated lipodystrophy are limited and are mostly based on avoidance of risk factors and switching of antiretroviral drugs. Therapies to improve insulin resistance have been tried but they are frequently ineffective as are lipid-lowering drugs. Interest in anabolic agents has been resurrected and new clinical data suggest that HIV-associated lipodystrophy growth hormone releasing factor therapy may have a beneficial role in the treatment of HIV-associated lipodystrophy. However, there still remains a need for robust prospective cohort studies and well designed intervention trials to resolve the aetiology and define the best treatment for this complication of HIV disease and its treatment. Br J Diabetes Vasc Dis 2008;8:113-19