From the Research
Yes, Dercum's disease can sometimes resemble angioedema in the feet and ankles, though they are distinct conditions. Dercum's disease (adiposis dolorosa) is characterized by multiple, painful fatty deposits in the subcutaneous tissue, which can cause swelling that might be mistaken for angioedema. The key difference is that Dercum's swelling is persistent rather than episodic, painful to touch, and associated with fatty nodules or masses. Angioedema typically presents as rapid-onset swelling that resolves within 24-72 hours, often without pain but with possible itching or burning sensations. Some key features of Dercum's disease include:
- Generalized overweight or obesity in combination with painful adipose tissue 1
- Associated symptoms such as fatty deposits, easy bruisability, sleep disturbances, impaired memory, depression, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, diabetes, bloating, constipation, fatigue, weakness, and joint aches 1
- Classification into different forms, including generalized diffuse, generalized nodular, localized nodular, and juxta-articular forms 1 For patients with suspected Dercum's disease, management typically includes pain control with medications like lidocaine patches, gabapentin (300-1200 mg three times daily), or pregabalin (75-300 mg twice daily) 2. Weight management and surgical removal of painful lipomas may also help. Diagnosis requires careful physical examination to identify painful fatty deposits, and sometimes imaging studies like ultrasound or MRI 3, 4. If you're experiencing persistent swelling with pain in fatty tissue areas, consult a healthcare provider for proper differential diagnosis between these conditions. Recent studies have also explored the use of infliximab and methotrexate in the treatment of Dercum's disease, showing promising results in improving symptoms 5. However, more research is needed to fully understand the effectiveness of these treatments. In terms of diagnosis, it's essential to exclude other conditions that may present with similar symptoms, such as fibromyalgia, lipoedema, panniculitis, endocrine disorders, primary psychiatric disorders, multiple symmetric lipomatosis, familial multiple lipomatosis, and adipose tissue tumors 1. A thorough physical examination and imaging studies can help confirm the diagnosis of Dercum's disease. Overall, while Dercum's disease can resemble angioedema in some ways, it is a distinct condition that requires careful diagnosis and management to improve symptoms and quality of life.