title: Partial lipodystrophy of the limbs in a diabetes clinic setting.
abstract: Partial lipodystrophy of the limbs (PLL) is a newly described form of lipodystrophy that is characterized by symmetrical distal lipoatrophy of the limbs and insulin resistant diabetes.
  
  
  
  In this study, we prospectively screened our patients with type 2 diabetes for the presence of PLL phenotype. Metabolic parameters of PLL patients were compared to those with type 2 diabetes who applied to our diabetes clinic during the same period of time.
  
  
  
  Between Sep 2013 and Mar 2015, 2020 patients with type 2 diabetes were evaluated for the presence of PLL. PLL was confirmed in 16 patients. The prevalence of PLL was calculated as 0.79% in our diabetes clinic. The most common phenotypic presentations were loss of subcutaneous fat in the forearms, calves and thighs, and loss of fat in forearms and calves. Patients with PLL had poor metabolic control and marked insulin resistance compared to subjects with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes had been diagnosed at a younger age in patients with PLL. Patients with PLL also had more atherogenic lipid profiles.
  
  
  
  Our data suggests that PLL is a relatively common form of lipodystrophy in diabetes clinics, which is associated with poor metabolic control and marked insulin resistance. The recognition of PLL in patients with type 2 diabetes can help better clinical management by alerting the physician to these associated co-morbidities.
authors.affiliation: Dokuz Eylul University, Division of Endocrinology, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tevfik
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Demir
authors.affiliation: Dokuz Eylul University, Division of Endocrinology, Izmir, Turkey. Electronic address: barisakincimd@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Baris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Akinci
authors.affiliation: Ataturk Training Hospital, Department of Biochemistry, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Leyla
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Demir
authors.affiliation: Dokuz Eylul University, Department of Radiology, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Canan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Altay
authors.affiliation: Ege University, Department of Pediatric Genetics, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tahir
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Atik
authors.affiliation: Dokuz Eylul University, Division of Endocrinology, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Umit
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Cavdar
authors.affiliation: Dokuz Eylul University, Department of Radiology, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Secil
authors.affiliation: Dokuz Eylul University, Division of Endocrinology, Izmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Abdurrahman
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Comlekci
mesh_terms: D050154:Adiposity; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015897:Comorbidity; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005121:Extremities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008060:Lipodystrophy / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D008055:Lipids
keywords: Diabetes clinic; Insulin resistance; Lipids; Lipodystrophy; Type 2 diabetes