A Visual Diagnosis: Lipodystrophy.
Salman Zahoor BhatRebecca J BrownRonadip R BanerjeePublished in: JCEM case reports (2023)
Lipodystrophy syndromes are rare metabolic disorders characterized by local or generalized loss of adipose tissue, resulting in insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and cosmetic disfiguration. The lipodystrophic phenotype is highly variable, with partial lipodystrophy often missed or misdiagnosed as other diseases from a lack of a proper physical examination and low physician awareness. Correct diagnosis is important for optimal treatment and follow-up strategies in these patients. The use of GLP-1 analogs has not been systematically evaluated in lipodystrophy and could be a potential precision medicine therapy. We aim to make the reader, particularly generalists or endocrinologists outside of tertiary referral centers, aware of the presentation and clinical features of partial lipodystrophy, emphasize the role of a full physical examination in diagnosis, and discuss therapeutic options, including GLP-1-based glycemic management illustrated by our clinical case.
Keyphrases
- adipose tissue
- insulin resistance
- primary care
- type diabetes
- end stage renal disease
- physical activity
- ejection fraction
- mental health
- newly diagnosed
- high fat diet
- emergency department
- peritoneal dialysis
- prognostic factors
- mesenchymal stem cells
- polycystic ovary syndrome
- combination therapy
- glycemic control
- patient reported
- smoking cessation