Aegerion Pharmaceuticals Observes World Lipodystrophy Day

Chief Executive Officer Mary Szela said, "We support the Association of Families Affected by Lipodystrophies in Spain, Europe & Latin America (AELIP), Lipodystrophy United (LU), and others in the lipodystrophy community in their objective to increase awareness and diagnosis of this serious and often undiagnosed rare disease. Education is an important step towards making an impact for people affected by lipodystrophy."

Lipodystrophy is a group of rare diseases characterized by the lack of fat tissue. In some patients, it is genetic, and in others it may be acquired. It can be characterized by a widespread lack of fat tissue under the skin (generalized lipodystrophy) or limited lack of fat tissue (partial lipodystrophy). This loss of fat tissue might cause a deficit in the hormone leptin leading to multiple medical complications such as severe metabolic complications.

"Lipodystrophies are rare diseases, meaning they can be difficult to diagnose correctly and therefore treat properly and efficiently," said David Araújo-Vilar, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Nutrition, University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (Spain). "A common feature of most lipodystrophies is the predisposition to diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. Through increased awareness and education, physicians can more accurately diagnose and effectively treat these serious diseases."

"Our objectives for World Lipodystrophy Day include raising awareness of the public health problem posed by lipodystrophy, implementing actions that impact the challenges faced by patients with lipodystrophy and their families, and joining together with the community to pool resources and improve care for those affected by this rare disease," said Naca Pérez de Tudela, president of AELIP.

To learn more about lipodystrophy, visit www.aelip.org, www.lipodystrophyunited.org 
or http://www.lipodystrophy.co.uk.  

About Aegerion Pharmaceuticals

Aegerion Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the development and commercialization of innovative therapies for patients with debilitating, rare diseases. For more information about the company, please visit www.aegerion.com.