Partial lipodystrophy and insulin-resistant diabetes.

The coexistence of partial lipodystrophy of unusual distribution (limbs, back and head) with insulin-resistant diabetes and severe retinal, renal, neurological and arterial complications is reported. The lipodystrophy followed juvenile arthritis (Still's disease) and the diabetes, initially asymptomatic, became insulin dependent and technically insulin resistant (200 - 300 units insulin/day). Severe hyperlipidaemia has been a feature of this syndrome, probably contributing to the conspicuous peripheral arterial disease. The mother was diabetic but three sisters had normal glucose tolerance and there is no lipodystrophic member of the family. Underlying mechanisms of this syndrome remain obscure.