An approach to lipedema: a literature review of current knowledge of an underestimated health problem

Tuğral, Alper; Bakar, Yeşim

doi:10.1007/s00238-019-01519-9

Cited by 7 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…The main symptom of lipedema is bilateral subcutaneous fat deposition on the extremities with associated tenderness, pain, and the tendency to bruise easily [1,3,4]. Although the condition is still not widely recognized and is often misdiagnosed and mistreated [5], the number of published articles on lipedema has been slowly increasing [6][7][8][9]. The etiology of lipedema remains unclear, with a hormonal and genetic component and hypothetical vasculo-and lympho-angiopathy [6,7,10,11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the condition is still not widely recognized and is often misdiagnosed and mistreated [5], the number of published articles on lipedema has been slowly increasing [6][7][8][9]. The etiology of lipedema remains unclear, with a hormonal and genetic component and hypothetical vasculo-and lympho-angiopathy [6,7,10,11]. A number of studies have aimed to identify a diagnostic tool that would allow for the precise diagnosis of lipedema, such as cutaneous ultrasonography [12], computed tomography [13], magnetic resonance [14], lymphoscintigraphy [15], and tissue sodium content [16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Researchers have also searched for genetic determinants of lipedema in the hope of identifying genetic tests that would allow for the precise differentiation of lipedema from other diagnoses; however, no such determinants have yet been found [17]. Therefore, there is no reliable and easily accessible diagnostic tool or biomarker for lipedema, and diagnosis is based on clinical examination and medical history [6,7,18]. The unknown etiology and lack of precise diagnostic tools contribute to a lack of knowledge on the epidemiology of lipedema.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The unknown etiology and lack of precise diagnostic tools contribute to a lack of knowledge on the epidemiology of lipedema. Specialists estimate that the disease affects 7 to 11% of adult women in Western countries [5][6][7]19]. The prevalence of lipedema in Poland is unknown and has not been previously investigated [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Quality of life, its factors, and sociodemographic characteristics of Polish women with lipedema

2021

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Background Lipedema is a type of subcutaneous adipose tissue disorder that affects mainly women. Its main symptom is bilateral fat accumulation on the extremities with associated pain in the affected areas. Despite growing interest in lipedema among patients and medical health professionals, lipedema is still often misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and mistreated. To promote better understanding of lipedema, we aimed to investigate factors related to the quality of life and describe selected sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of women with lipedema in Poland. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional online survey that was completed by 98 women with lipedema. The participants responded to questionnaires regarding quality of life, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and depression symptom severity. Results The participants reported low quality of life and high severity of depressive symptoms. The more severe the symptoms related to pain, heaviness, and swelling, the lower the quality of life. Further analyses showed that depression severity mediated this relationship. Conclusions The current study provides initial information on screening questions, lipedema symptoms, and comorbidities, pointing to the areas needing in-depth investigation. Further steps to improve quality of life in women with lipedema and to reduce health costs should include the education of medical health professionals, using diagnostic tools that allow for differentiation among diagnoses and precise health risk assessment, and creating Polish treatment guidelines for lipedema.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Quality of life, its factors, and sociodemographic characteristics of Polish women with lipedema

2021

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“…Although lymphatic microaneurysms might develop in the later stages of lipedema leading to secondary lymphedema, imaging techniques like high-resolution cutaneous ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging showed no defects in the lymphatic system in early stages [24,[41][42][43]. Other methods have also been successfully used to differentiate lipedema from lymphedema which includes tissue dielectric constant and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry techniques [44][45][46][47][48].…”

Section: Lipedema Versus Lymphedemamentioning

confidence: 99%

Lipedema: A Painful Adipose Tissue Disorder

Al-Ghadban¹,

Herbst²,

Bunnell³

2019

Adipose Tissue - An Update

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Lipedema is a painful fat disease of loose connective tissue usually misdiagnosed as lifestyle-induced obesity that affects ~10% of women of European descent as well as other populations. Lipedema is characterized by symmetric enlargement of the buttocks, hips, and legs due to increased loose connective tissue; arms are also affected in 80% of patients. Lipedema loose connective tissue is characterized by hypertrophic adipocytes, inflammatory cells, and dilated leaky blood and lymphatic vessels. Altered fluid flux through the tissue causes accumulation of fluid, protein, and other constituents in the interstitium resulting in recruitment of inflammatory cells, which in turn stimulates fibrosis and results in difficulty in weight loss. Inflammation and excess interstitial substance may also activate nerve fibers instigating the painful lipedema fat tissue. More research is needed to characterize lipedema loose connective tissue structure in depth, as well as the form and function of blood and lymphatic vessels. Understanding the pathophysiology of the disease will allow healthcare providers to diagnose the disease and develop treatments.

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Lipedema: A common though often unrecognized condition

Carvalho

2024

Chinese Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

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An approach to lipedema: a literature review of current knowledge of an underestimated health problem

Cited by 7 publications

References 39 publications

Quality of life, its factors, and sociodemographic characteristics of Polish women with lipedema

Quality of life, its factors, and sociodemographic characteristics of Polish women with lipedema

Lipedema: A Painful Adipose Tissue Disorder

Lipedema: A common though often unrecognized condition

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