Objective: The present study evaluated the influence of the duration of antiretroviral therapy on insulin resistance among people living with HIV with lipodystrophic syndrome. Methods: The study assessed 36 subjects of both sexes between 22 and 60 years old split into three groups: 1) HIV-positive using antiretroviral with lipodystrophy syndrome (HIV+LIPO+); 2) HIV-positive using antiretroviral therapy with no lipodystrophy syndrome (HIV+LIPO-); and 3) HIV-negative and healthy (Control). The data were collected at the Special Unit for the Treatment of Infectious Diseases (Unidade Especial de Tratamento para Doenças Infecciosas - UETDI) of the Dyslipidemia Outpatient Clinic (Ambulatório de Dislipidemia - ADIS) of the General Hospital of the Medical School of Ribeirão Preto (HC-FMRP). The biochemical assessment used laboratory kits when the results were not available in the volunteer's records. Results: Higher HOMA-IR values were observed for the group 1: HIV+LIPO+ (1,61 ± 1,17 ) compared to group 2: HIV+LIPO- (0,79 ± 0,87) and group 3: Control (0,46 ± 0,72 ) and such values were positively correlated with the time of antiretroviral medication use (r=0,41). Conclusions: The time of infection by HIV and the use of antiretrovirals impact the glucose metabolism with changes in serum insulin levels and consequent insulin resistance and increased risk for the development of diabetes and diseases related to carbohydrate metabolism.