Adiposis dolorosa

Description

Adiposis dolorosa is a condition that is characterized by painful fatty (adipose) tissue just underneath the skin (subcutaneous). The pain is often associated with multiple noncancerous (benign) tumors called lipomas. Adiposis dolorosa occurs most often in women between the ages of 35 and 50 who are overweight or have obesity.

Adiposis dolorosa affects the adipose tissue. Adipose tissue is found in many parts of the body. It stores fat for energy and provides support for the body’s structures. In some individuals, lipomas develop within the adipose tissue. These lipomas can occur anywhere on the body, but they are most often found on the torso, buttocks, or the upper arms and legs. The lipomas in people with adiposis dolorosa usually feel like firm bumps (nodules) underneath the skin and tend to be painful. The pain can be severe, particularly if the lipomas are pressing on a nearby nerve. In some people, the pain is disabling.

People with adiposis dolorosa may experience additional signs and symptoms. However, these features do not occur in all people with adiposis dolorosa, and it is unclear whether they are directly related to the condition. Researchers are working to learn more about the signs and symptoms of this condition.

Frequency

Adiposis dolorosa is believed to be rare, although the exact prevalence is unknown. This condition is more common in women than in men.

Causes

The cause of adiposis dolorosa is unknown. Although a few families with multiple affected family members have been reported, no genetic cause has been identified.

Several possible causes of adiposis dolorosa have been suggested, but none have been confirmed. These include infections, swelling (inflammation), traumatic events, or changes in the deposition and breakdown of fat (adipose tissue metabolism). Changes or abnormalities in the nervous system, immune system, or the hormone-producing endocrine system have also been proposed as possible causes of adiposis dolorosa.

Inheritance

Most cases of adiposis dolorosa are sporadic, which means that they occur in people with no family history of the disorder.

A small number of familial cases of adiposis dolorosa have been reported. When the condition runs in families, it appears to have an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance.

Autosomal dominant inheritance. Credit: U.S. National Library of Medicine.

Other Names for This Condition

• Adiposalgia
• Adipose tissue rheumatism
• Dercum disease
• Lipomatosis dolorosa
• Morbus Dercum

Where this page came from

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