Overview

4.7 out of 5 (12 Reviews)

Credits

1.00

Pharmacology Credits

0.0

Post-Assessment Questions

7

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

7 Nov 2025

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

60 Minutes


Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6280 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7492.5 hours of CE.

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$49 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE activities in all specialties.

$379 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE activities in all specialties.

$579 per 1 year per user
 
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Activity Description

Adiposis dolorosa, or Dercum disease, is a rare, chronic adipose tissue disorder characterized by multiple painful subcutaneous lipomas distributed across various body regions. The condition often presents with accompanying symptoms such as fatigue, cognitive impairment, and mood disturbances, reflecting its complex neuropsychiatric component. Although the precise pathophysiology remains unclear, proposed mechanisms include autonomic nervous system dysfunction, microvascular inflammation, and abnormal lipid metabolism. The disease predominantly affects middle-aged women and may significantly impair physical function and psychological well-being. Because of its nonspecific presentation and overlap with other lipomatous disorders, misdiagnosis is common, often delaying appropriate management. Current therapeutic strategies emphasize symptomatic relief through pharmacologic pain control, psychological support, and, in select cases, surgical excision of painful lipomas. Early recognition and individualized treatment planning remain essential for optimizing comfort and improving the quality of life for affected individuals.

Through participation in this course, the learner develops the knowledge and clinical reasoning skills necessary to identify, evaluate, and manage adiposis dolorosa effectively. The curriculum underscores the value of coordinated interprofessional collaboration among clinicians, dermatologists, pain specialists, psychiatrists, and surgeons in addressing the multifaceted challenges of this condition. Such collaboration fosters timely diagnosis, integrated treatment approaches, and shared decision-making that enhance physical and emotional outcomes. By mastering evidence-based interventions and communication strategies, the participant strengthens competencies in patient-centered care, ensuring that management is comprehensive, empathetic, and aligned with each individual’s unique needs. This interprofessional approach not only refines clinical judgment but also improves patient satisfaction and overall therapeutic success in managing adiposis dolorosa.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify the key clinical features, epidemiology, and proposed pathophysiological mechanisms of adiposis dolorosa.

  • Differentiate adiposis dolorosa from other lipomatous and chronic pain disorders using evidence-based diagnostic criteria.

  • Evaluate current medical, surgical, and supportive care management strategies for patients with adiposis dolorosa.

  • Develop interprofessional care plans that integrate the roles of primary care, pain specialists, dermatologists, psychiatrists, and surgeons to improve patient outcomes.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Nurse Practitioners: StatPearls designates this activity for 1.00 ANCC contact hour(s), which includes 0 hour(s) of pharmacology. NPs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

  1. Register for the activity.    
  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment survey.

If you have concerns regarding the CE/CME system, please contact support@statpearls.com.

Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the FDA. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

Cancellation Policy: Please see the cancellation policy. StatPearls, LLC reserves the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances.

 

 
 

Reviews

Katarzyna B. on 4/4/2021

Lars C. on 11/8/2023

Lesly P. on 12/21/2024

Reuben V. on 1/29/2025

John H. on 4/19/2025

Rebekah G. on 10/5/2025

Bruce S. on 12/21/2025

Wacelly V. on 1/7/2026

Amanda K. on 4/9/2026

David O. on 6/10/2026

Santos S. on 6/16/2026

Nora N. on 6/29/2026

Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6280 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 7492.5 hours of CE.

Single Activity

Take this single activity

$49 1 activity

6 Month Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE activities in all specialties.

$379 per half year per user

1 Year Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE

Access to all the Unlimited Nurse Practitioner CE activities in all specialties.

$579 per 1 year per user