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Learn About Familial Partial Lipodystrophy

What is the definition of Familial Partial Lipodystrophy?

Familial partial lipodystrophy is a rare condition characterized by an abnormal distribution of fatty (adipose) tissue. Adipose tissue is normally found in many parts of the body, including beneath the skin and surrounding the internal organs. It stores fat as a source of energy and also provides cushioning. In people with familial partial lipodystrophy, adipose tissue is lost from the arms, legs, and hips, giving these parts of the body a very muscular appearance. The fat that cannot be stored in the limbs builds up around the face and neck, and inside the abdomen. Excess fat in these areas gives individuals an appearance described as "cushingoid," because it resembles the physical features associated with a hormonal disorder called Cushing disease. This abnormal fat distribution can begin anytime from childhood to adulthood.

What are the causes of Familial Partial Lipodystrophy?

Familial partial lipodystrophy can be caused by mutations in several genes. Type 2 results from mutations in the LMNA gene. The other, less common forms of the disorder are caused by mutations in different genes.

How prevalent is Familial Partial Lipodystrophy?

Familial partial lipodystrophy is a rare disease, affecting an estimated 1 in 1 million people overall. Type 2 is the most common form, with more than 500 cases reported in the medical literature. Women tend to be diagnosed with familial partial lipodystrophy more often than men, probably because a loss of fat from the hips and limbs is more easily recognized in women, and complications such as diabetes and hypertriglyceridemia occur more commonly in women.

Is Familial Partial Lipodystrophy an inherited disorder?

Most cases of familial partial lipodystrophy, including type 2, are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder. In some cases, an affected person inherits the mutation from one affected parent. Other cases result from new mutations in the gene and occur in people with no history of the disorder in their family.

Who are the top Familial Partial Lipodystrophy Local Doctors?
Plastic Surgery | General Surgery
Plastic Surgery | General Surgery

Howard University

2041 Georgia Nw Ave, 
Washington, DC 
 1.1 mi

Kelly Bolden is a Plastic Surgeon and a General Surgeon in Washington, Washington, D.c.. Dr. Bolden and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Familial Partial Lipodystrophy. Her top areas of expertise are Breast Enlargement In Males, Folliculitis, Familial Partial Lipodystrophy, and Congenital Generalized Lipodystrophy.

Plastic Surgery
Plastic Surgery
1150 Varnum St Ne, 
Washington, DC 
 3.5 mi

Vikisha Fripp is a Plastic Surgeon in Washington, Washington, D.c.. Dr. Fripp and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Familial Partial Lipodystrophy. Her top areas of expertise are Breast Enlargement In Males, Keloids, Congenital Generalized Lipodystrophy, and Familial Partial Lipodystrophy.

 
 
 
 
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National Center For Plastic Surgery LLC

7601 Lewinsville Rd, Suite 400, 
Mclean, VA 
 9.3 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Maurice Nahabedian is a Plastic Surgeon in Mclean, Virginia. Dr. Nahabedian and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Familial Partial Lipodystrophy. His top areas of expertise are T-Cell Lymphoma, Ptosis, BRCA Positive Breast Cancer, Eyelid Drooping, and Lymphadenectomy. Dr. Nahabedian is currently accepting new patients.

What are the latest Familial Partial Lipodystrophy Clinical Trials?
An Open-label Extension of APG-20 Study to Evaluate the Long-term Safety and Efficacy of Daily Subcutaneous Metreleptin Treatment in Subjects With Partial Lipodystrophy

Summary: This Phase 3 study is an Open Label Extension of the APG-20 Study To Evaluate the Long-term Safety and Efficacy of Daily Subcutaneous Metreleptin Treatment in Subjects with Partial Lipodystrophy

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A Pilot Study to Assess Feasibility of Adipose Tissue Triglyceride (TG) Labelling in Familial Partial Lipodystrophy (FPLD)

Background: People with familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD) do not store fat in the body normally. This can lead to serious illnesses such as diabetes and heart disease. To learn more about FPLD, researchers want to compare the fat tissue in people with this disease to the fat tissue of healthy people.

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: September 01, 2016
Published By: National Institutes of Health