High prevalence of Berardinelli-Seip Congenital Lipodystrophy in Rio Grande do Norte State, Northeast Brazil

Background: Berardinelli-Seip Congenital Lipodystrophy (BSCL) is a rare disease characterized by the almost complete absence of adipose tissue. Although a large number of BSCL cases was previously identified in Rio Grande do Norte (RN), a state in Northeast Brazil, its prevalence in RN regions and municipalities remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to better characterize the prevalence of BSCL in RN. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted using secondary data obtained from the Association of Parents and People with BSCL of RN to determine its prevalence. The patients' socio-demographic characteristics and geolocalization were analyzed. Results: We estimated a total of 103 BSCL cases in RN, resulting in a prevalence of 3.23 per 100,000 people. The Central Potiguar mesoregion, Serido territory, Carnauba dos Dantas and Timbauba dos Batistas municipalities had a much higher prevalence of BSCL, with 20.56, 20.66, 498.05 and 217.85 per 100,000 people, respectively. Conclusions: Together, our results showed that BSCL is highly prevalent in RN and confirmed that our state has one of the highest prevalences of this lipodystrophy worldwide. More studies are still needed to better estimate the prevalence and incidence of BSCL in RN as well as in other states in Brazil.