Assessing Innovative Indices for Body Fat in HIV: What Body Roundness Index and A Body Shape Index Reveal

On October 5, 2025, a new clinical trial sponsored by Queens College, The City University of New York, was listed as ‘Not yet recruiting’ on ClinicalTrials.gov. This trial seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of Body Roundness Index (BRI) and A Body Shape Index (ABSI) in correlating with body fat and visceral fat specifically in individuals living with HIV. The study’s findings could offer critical insights for healthcare professionals managing HIV patients’ metabolic health.

Researchers, clinicians, and regulatory teams following advancements in medical devices and patient monitoring solutions will find this development relevant.

In this article:

What changed?

The newly announced clinical trial focuses on comparing the Body Roundness Index and A Body Shape Index against traditional measures of body fat and visceral fat among HIV-positive individuals. While these indices have shown promise in general populations, their applicability to patients with HIV—a population with unique metabolic challenges—remains unclear. This study represents a concerted effort to validate novel metrics tailored to the needs of HIV care.

What does the study aim to address?

Understanding the indices

The Body Roundness Index and A Body Shape Index are mathematical models designed to quantify body fat distribution. Unlike the standard Body Mass Index (BMI), these indices integrate details like waist circumference and height to better capture central adiposity—a critical marker for cardiovascular and metabolic risks.

Population focus

People living with HIV often experience body composition changes due to antiretroviral therapy and disease progression. This trial explores whether BRI and ABSI can provide more accurate and clinically actionable measurements of body fat and visceral fat in this specific group.

Sponsored commitment

Queens College, The City University of New York, is driving this effort to bring evidence-backed tools into clinical practice. Such advances could refine diagnostics and influence personalized treatment plans for HIV patients worldwide.

How could these indices impact clinical care?

Precise tools like BRI and ABSI could enhance the ability of healthcare providers to track disease progression and predict complications in HIV-positive patients. For example:

  • Improved risk stratification: Adiposity indices could assist in identifying individuals with elevated cardiovascular disease risks.
  • Better management: Tailored interventions might emerge, where body composition data inform nutritional and pharmacological strategies.
  • Streamlined monitoring: These indices may enable efficient ongoing evaluations during antiretroviral therapy.

If validated, BRI and ABSI could become valuable tools not only for clinicians but also for medical device developers seeking to integrate these indices into digital health technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. 1. Who is sponsoring this trial?
    The trial is sponsored by Queens College, The City University of New York.
  2. 2. What are BRI and ABSI?
    Body Roundness Index and A Body Shape Index are advanced metrics used to assess body fat distribution and central adiposity.
  3. 3. Why focus on people living with HIV?
    Individuals with HIV often face distinct metabolic and body composition challenges due to their condition and treatment regimens.
  4. 4. Is the trial recruiting participants?
    As of now, the trial is marked ‘Not yet recruiting’ on ClinicalTrials.gov.
  5. 5. Where can I find more information?
    Visit the ClinicalTrials.gov record here.

Conclusion

The evaluation of Body Roundness Index and A Body Shape Index in an HIV-positive population represents a forward-thinking approach to refine body fat assessment tools. If successful, this effort could improve clinical workflows and patient outcomes, laying the groundwork for integrating such methods into broader precision medicine strategies.

Disclaimer

This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Please consult appropriate professionals regarding regulatory guidance or clinical applications.

Source link

For full information about the announcement, see the link below.

https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07203261?term=medical+device