Lipoatrophy and lipodystrophy
Localised fat loss from injections (corticosteroid, insulin, glatiramer) and its commoner opposite, insulin lipohypertrophy; HIV lipoatrophy from thymidine analogues; and the rare generalised and partial lipodystrophies with severe insulin resistance, hypertriglyceridaemia and low leptin.
Tier 2Condition
Written with AI assistance and fact-checked against the sources below. For exam study, not clinical decisions. How notes are made
At a glance
- Lipoatrophy is loss of subcutaneous fat. Lipodystrophy is abnormal fat distribution: loss in some regions, often with accumulation in others.
- Physicians meet three kinds:
- Localised lipoatrophy at injection sites. Corticosteroid is the usual culprit; insulin lipoatrophy is now rare.
- HIV-associated lipoatrophy from older NRTIs, now a legacy problem in long-term survivors.
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Sources
- Brown RJ et al. The diagnosis and management of lipodystrophy syndromes: a multi-society practice guideline. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2016;101(12):4500-11Endocrine Society, Pediatric Endocrine Society, ESPE and partner societies, 2016 (no newer multi-society guideline found, checked 12 November 2026)
- Metreleptin (Myalepta): PBAC submission for lipodystrophy, November 2026 meetingAU/NZPharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, Australian Government, information current as at 1 November 2026 (outcome pending)
- Misra A, Peethambaram A, Garg A. Clinical features and metabolic and autoimmune derangements in acquired partial lipodystrophy: report of 35 cases and review of the literature. Medicine (Baltimore) 2004;83(1):18-34Medicine (Baltimore), 2004
- Frid AH et al. New insulin delivery recommendations (FITTER). Mayo Clin Proc 2016;91(9):1231-55Forum for Injection Technique and Therapy Expert Recommendations, 2016
- Therapeutic Guidelines: DiabetesAU/NZTherapeutic Guidelines Limited (eTG complete), current eTG edition (topic version not verified)
- Last updated
- 14 November 2026
What changed
- 14 November 2026 Deploy to Cloudflare on push to main