Acquired Partial Lipodystrophy Treatment & Management

  • Author: George T Griffing, MD; Chief Editor: George T Griffing, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 11, 2012
 

Medical Care

  • In general, treatment for acquired partial lipodystrophy is limited to cosmetic, dietary, or medical options.
  • Currently, no effective treatment exists to halt the progression of lipodystrophy.
  • Thiazolidinediones have been used in the management of various types of lipodystrophies. They bind to peroxisome proliferator-activator receptor gamma (PPAR-gamma), which stimulates the transcription of genes responsible for growth and differentiation of adipocytes.[16] A single report has suggested a beneficial effect from treatment with rosiglitazone on fat distribution in acquired partial lipodystrophy[17] ; however, preferential fat gain was in the lower body.
  • Following the online publication of a meta-analysis,[18] the Food and Drug Administration issued an alert on May 21, 2007, to patients and health care professionals warning that rosiglitazone could potentially cause an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and heart-related deaths. A thiazolidinedione derivative, rosiglitazone is an antidiabetic agent that improves glycemic control by improving insulin sensitivity. The drug is highly selective and is a potent agonist for PPAR-gamma. Activation of PPAR-gamma receptors regulates insulin-responsive gene transcription involved in glucose production, transport, and utilization, thereby reducing blood glucose concentrations and hyperinsulinemia. Potent PPAR-gamma agonists have been shown to increase the incidence of edema. A large-scale phase III trial (RECORD) has been underway to study the cardiovascular outcomes of rosiglitazone.
  • As of September 2010, the FDA is requiring a restricted access program to be developed for rosiglitazone under a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS). Patients currently taking rosiglitazone and benefiting from the drug will be able to continue if they choose to do so. Rosiglitazone will only be available to new patients if they are unable to achieve glucose control on other medications and are unable to take pioglitazone, the only other thiazolidinedione.
  • For more information, see the FDA’s Safety Alert on Avandia. Additionally, responses to the controversy, including the following articles, can be viewed at Heartwire news (the heart.org, from WebMD): 1) Rosiglitazone increases MI and CV death in meta-analysis, 2) The rosiglitazone aftermath: Legitimate concerns or hype?, and 3) RECORD interim analysis of rosiglitazone safety: No clear-cut answers.
  • Direct drug therapy is administered according to the associated condition.
    • Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis and the presence of renal dysfunction largely determine the prognosis of acquired partial lipodystrophy. Standard guidelines for the management of renal disease should be followed.
    • The course of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis in acquired partial lipodystrophy has not been significantly altered by treatment with corticosteroids or cytotoxic medications.
    • Recurrent bacterial infections, if severe, might be managed with prophylactic antibiotics.
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Surgical Care

  • The purpose of surgery is mainly cosmetic. According to guidelines from the American Academy of Dermatology, lipodystrophy is one of the indications for fat transplant.
  • Several facial reconstruction techniques have been used, with variable success, to restore facial contour. However, surgical intervention cannot restore adipose tissue distribution in other affected areas.
  • The literature is controversial regarding these procedures. The best approach is to individualize the treatment options based on the patient's condition and requirements. These procedures are not recommended for prepubertal children.
  • Procedures may include the transposition of facial muscles, adipose tissue transplantation (liposuction), and the insertion of silicone or other implants.
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Consultations

Early consultation with a nephrologist or an endocrinologist is very important if renal or metabolic complications are suggested.

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Diet

No evidence in the literature favors any specific diets in this group of patients. A low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet can be detrimental with regard to triglyceride levels, and weight gain should be avoided to reduce the risk of worsening metabolic status. However, children with this syndrome should be permitted normal food intake to allow for normal growth.

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Activity

Regular exercise should be encouraged to help improve metabolic status.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

George T Griffing, MD  Professor of Medicine, St Louis University School of Medicine

George T Griffing, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Medical Practice Executives, American College of Physician Executives, American College of Physicians, American Diabetes Association, American Federation for Medical Research, American Heart Association, Central Society for Clinical Research, Endocrine Society, International Society for Clinical Densitometry, and Southern Society for Clinical Investigation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Robert A Gabbay, MD, PhD  Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Laurence M Demers Career Development Professor, Penn State College of Medicine; Director, Diabetes Program, Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center; Executive Director, Penn State Institute for Diabetes and Obesity

Robert A Gabbay, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American Diabetes Association, and Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Novo Nordisk Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Merck Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Specialty Editor Board

Amir E Harari, MD  Staff Physician, Endocrinology Division, Instructor, Department of Clinical Medicine, Naval Medical Center at San Diego

Amir E Harari, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Physicians, and Endocrine Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Arthur B Chausmer, MD, PhD, FACP, FACE, FACN, CNS  Professor of Medicine (Endocrinology, Adj), Johns Hopkins School of Medicine; Affiliate Research Professor, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Program, School of Computational Sciences, George Mason University; Principal, C/A Informatics, LLC

Arthur B Chausmer, MD, PhD, FACP, FACE, FACN, CNS is a member of the following medical societies: American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, American College of Endocrinology, American College of Nutrition, American College of Physicians, American College of Physicians-American Society of Internal Medicine, American Medical Informatics Association, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, Endocrine Society, and International Society for Clinical Densitometry

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mark Cooper, MBBS, PhD, FRACP  Head, Diabetes & Metabolism Division, Baker Heart Research Institute, Professor of Medicine, Monash University

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

George T Griffing, MD  Professor of Medicine, St Louis University School of Medicine

George T Griffing, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Medical Practice Executives, American College of Physician Executives, American College of Physicians, American Diabetes Association, American Federation for Medical Research, American Heart Association, Central Society for Clinical Research, Endocrine Society, International Society for Clinical Densitometry, and Southern Society for Clinical Investigation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Additional Contributors

Medscape Reference extends its thanks to Irina Lendel, MD,  Clinical Instructor in Endocrinology, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Milton S Hershey Medical Center and Waleed Aldhahi, MD, FRCPC, Clinical Research Fellow, Department of Endocrinology, Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard University for previous versions of this article.

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Fat distribution in acquired partial lipodystrophy.
 
 
 
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