Would you recognize a patient with GL ?

Young man with GL posing and looking away from the camera
Would you recognize a patient with GL ?
Diagnosing GL
Physical features are important diagnostic indicators of generalized lipodystrophy (GL).2
Typical Presenting Features
Congenital GL:
Generalized lack of subcutaneous fat with muscular appearance, acromegaloid features, and umbilical prominence1,2
Acquired GL:
Generalized subcutaneous fat loss that is usually insidious (over years) but can sometimes be rapid (over weeks); more common in females1,2
Young man standing next to a description of the common features of GL
Consider generalized lipodystrophy (GL) in your differential diagnosis2
  • Currently, there are no defined serum leptin levels to establish a diagnosis of GL. 2
  • Although firm diagnostic criteria have not been established for GL, there is consensus that a group of clinical characteristics should raise the suspicion of GL.

The figure below highlights those key clinical characteristics.1,2,12

Chart discussing what to look for when suspecting a patient may have GL
1. Handelsman Y, Oral EA, Bloomgarden ZT, et al. The clinical approach to the detection of lipodystrophy—an AACE consensus statement. EndocrPract. 2013;19(1):107-116. doi:10.4158/endp.19.1.v767575m65p5mr06. 2. Brown RJ, Araujo-Vilar D, Cheung PT, et al. The diagnosis and management of lipodystrophy syndromes: a multi-society practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101(12):4500-4511. doi:10.1210/jc.2016-2466. 12. Garg A. Acquired and inherited lipodystrophies. N Engl J Med. 2004;350(12):1220- 1234. doi:10.1056/NEJMra025261. 16. Javor ED, Moran SA, Young JR, et al. Proteinuric nephropathy in acquired and congenital generalized lipodystrophy: baseline characteristics and course during recombinant leptin therapy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2004;89(7):3199-3207. doi:10.1210/jc.2003-032140. .Updated June 2014. Accessed March 3, 2017.