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Dercum's Disease: Bridging Present Understanding and Emerging Directions
Francesca Gorini1, Alessio Coi1, Alice Verdelli2
1Unit of Epidemiology of Rare Diseases and Congenital Anomalies, Institute of Clinical Physiology, National Research Council, 56124 Pisa, Italy.
Life (Basel, Switzerland)
|February 27, 2026
Summary
Dercum's disease (DD) is a rare painful adipose tissue disorder affecting middle-aged women. This review highlights current knowledge and advances in pain management strategies for this challenging condition.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology and Metabolism
- Rheumatology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Dercum's disease (DD) is a rare disorder causing chronic pain and subcutaneous fat nodules.
- It significantly impacts quality of life, predominantly affecting overweight/obese adults aged 35-50, with a female predominance.
- The pathophysiology and precise diagnostic criteria for DD remain poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an updated overview of Dercum's disease.
- To emphasize recent advances in pharmacological treatment strategies for DD.
- To address the diagnostic challenges and incomplete understanding of DD etiopathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current knowledge on Dercum's disease.
- Analysis of proposed hypotheses regarding DD pathophysiology.
- Examination of recent pharmacological treatment advancements.
Main Results:
- DD is characterized by intense, chronic burning pain in adipose tissue and subcutaneous nodules.
- Diagnosis relies solely on clinical evaluation, posing challenges due to overlapping symptoms with other conditions.
- Current treatments primarily focus on pain relief due to incomplete understanding of the disease.
Conclusions:
- Accurate and timely diagnosis of DD is crucial for effective management.
- Further research into DD etiopathogenesis is needed to develop targeted therapies.
- Advances in pharmacological strategies offer improved pain management options for DD patients.
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