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BACKGROUND: Lipedema is an abnormal accumulation of subcutaneous fat that usually affects the lower extremities. Inflammation due to adipose tissue may negatively affect body structure and functions. OBJECTIVE: This case-control study aimed to assess lower extremity muscle strength, endurance and function, functional exercise capacity, pressure pain threshold, and edema in women with lipedema and compare with healthy women. METHODS: Women with lipedema and healthy women of similar age and body mass index (BMI) were included in the study. Lower extremity muscle strength, muscle endurance, functionality, functional exercise capacity, pressure pain threshold, and edema (local tissue water) were assessed with digital dynamometer, 30-Second Sit to Stand Test (30-SSTS), Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS), 6 Minute Walk Test (6MWT), manual algometer and skin moisture meter, respectively. RESULTS: Twenty-four women with lipedema (mean age: 47.9 ± 1.8 years, median BMI: 30.62 (19.03-41.20) kg/m2) and 20 healthy women (mean age: 47.2 ± 12.1 years, median BMI: 28.12 (23.23-39.66) kg/m2) participated in the study. Muscle strength for all assessing lower extremity muscles, 30-SSTS repetition number, LEFS score, pressure pain threshold of all assessing regions, percent of predicted 6MWT distance (p < .001) and 6MWT distance (p = .001) were significantly lower in women with lipedema compared to healthy controls. No significant difference was in terms of local tissue water percentage (p > .050). CONCLUSION: Lower extremity muscle strength, muscle endurance, functionality, functional exercise capacity and pressure pain threshold decrease in women with lipedema. It is recommended that these changes be taken into account when developing rehabilitation strategies.

Lipedema is a chronic adipose tissue disorder characterized by disproportionate fat accumulation, pain, and low-grade systemic inflammation, primarily affecting women. This study investigated the relationship between the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII), adherence to the Mediterranean diet scores (MDS), inflammatory biomarkers (TNF-α and IL-6), and clinical outcomes in women with lipedema.

Introduction: Lipedema is a chronic female disease, characterized by an excessive accumulation of subcutaneous adipose tissue in the limbs and is commonly mistaken for obesity, although the two conditions often coexist. Obesity is associated with increased hedonic hunger and dysfunctional eating behavior. However, these aspects have not been investigated in females with lipedema and obesity. Objectives: The objective of this secondary analysis from a randomized controlled trial was to compare changes in hedonic hunger and eating behavior following two different low-energy diets , low-carbohydrate (CHO) or low-fat, in females with lipedema and obesity. Methods: Females with lipedema and obesity (body mass index (BMI) 30-45 kg/m2) were randomized to two different low-energy diets (1200 kcal), low-CHO diet (LCD) (75 g CHO) or low-fat diet (180 g CHO) for 8 weeks. Hedonic hunger was assessed using the power of food scale (PFS) and eating behavior was assessed using the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ) pre- and post-intervention. Results: A total of 70 females were included with a mean age of 47 years, and a BMI of 37 kg/m2. The LCD group reported a reduction in Food Present (P <0.001) and in Aggregated Score (P = 0.035) from the PFS, while no changes were seen in the low-fat diet group, with changes in Food Present over time being significantly different between groups (P = 0.050). The low-fat diet group reported increases in Restrained Eating from the DEBQ (P = 0.036) while only the LCD group reported decreases in Diffuse Emotions (P = 0.040), however, no differences between groups were found. Conclusion: A LCD may induce more favorable changes in hedonic hunger and eating behavior than an isocaloric low-fat diet in females with lipedema, which may be related to altered metabolic signaling pathways related to satiety and reward.

Objectives This double-blind, randomized clinical trial sought to demonstrate the effectiveness of Pycnogenol® in the symptomatic control and body composition management of patients with lipedema. Methods This was a double-blind, randomized clinical trial with 60 days of follow-up involving one hundred patients. The study utilized a quality-of-life questionnaire (QuASiL), bioimpedance analysis, and clinical monitoring. Results Of the one hundred patients initially included, seven were lost to follow-up; however, monotonic multiple imputation was applied for data analysis. The two groups were similar in all aspects except for initial weight. The placebo group showed an increase in mean QuASiL scores after 30 and 60 days from the first assessment, representing a worsening of symptoms over time. In contrast, the intervention group demonstrated a progressive and significant reduction in scores, with means of 69.5 ± 28 at 30 days and 63.2 ± 27 at 60 days (p < 0.001). This group also showed a statistically significant reduction in weight, BMI, and body fat percentage. Conclusions Pycnogenol® appears to be a promising therapeutic option to support the clinical management of lipedema, a condition that exerts numerous negative physical and emotional impacts throughout the lives of affected patients.

BACKGROUND: Lipedema is a chronic adipose tissue disorder characterized by abnormal fat accumulation, pain, often necessitating surgical intervention. While liposuction is the primary treatment to remove pathological fat, postoperative skin laxity poses a significant challenge, particularly in advanced stages. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the efficacy of helium plasma technology as an adjunct to liposuction of the lower limbs across the three clinical stages of lipedema, with a focus on its impact on skin tone, elasticity, and the necessity for dermolipectomy. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 90 female patients with lower limbs lipedema, divided equally across Stages I, II, and III. Helium plasma technology was applied post-liposuction to enhance skin tightening. Outcomes included postoperative skin elasticity, dermolipectomy incidence, and patient satisfaction RESULTS: In Stage I, skin tone and elasticity increased by 25%, though the already low need for dermolipectomy remained largely unchanged. In Stage II, skin elasticity improved by 40%, reducing the incidence of dermolipectomy from 30 to 10%. In Stage III, while the need for dermolipectomy was unaffected, helium plasma contributed to improved skin elasticity and patient satisfaction. No major adverse events were reported. This study is limited by the absence of a randomized control group and the lack of blinding in outcome assessments, which may introduce observer bias. These factors should be considered when interpreting the results and highlight the need for future controlled trials. CONCLUSIONS: Helium plasma technology offers stage-specific benefits in liposuction for lipedema of the lower limbs. It enhances skin tone and elasticity in early stages, reduces dermolipectomy requirements in intermediate stages, and improves skin quality in advanced stages when combined with dermolipectomy. Further research is needed to validate these findings and optimize protocols for clinical use. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Background/Objectives: Lipedema is a chronic disorder characterized by disproportionate fat accumulation in the extremities, causing pain, bruising, and reduced mobility. When conservative therapy fails, liposuction is considered an effective treatment option. Prior studies often relied on subjective or non-standardized measures, limiting precision. This study aimed to objectively assess volumetric changes after liposuction in stage III lipedema using high-resolution 3D imaging to quantify postoperative changes in circumference and volume, providing individualized yet standardized outcome measures aligned with precision medicine. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 66 patients who underwent 161 water-assisted liposuctions (WALs). Pre- and postoperative measurements were performed with the VECTRA© WB360 system, allowing reproducible, anatomically specific quantification of limb volumes and circumferences. Secondary endpoints included in-hospital complications. Results: Liposuction achieved significant reductions in all treated regions, most pronounced in the proximal thigh and upper arm. Thigh volume decreased by 4.10–9.25% (q < 0.001), while upper arm volume decreased by 15.63% (left) and 20.15% (right) (q = 0.001). Circumference decreased by up to 5.2% in the thigh (q < 0.001) and 12.27% (q = 0.001) in the upper arm. All changes were calculated relative to baseline values, allowing personalized interpretation of treatment effects. Conclusions: This is the first study to objectively quantify postoperative lipedema changes using whole-body 3D surface imaging. By capturing each patient’s contours pre- and postoperatively, this approach enables individualized evaluation while permitting standardized comparison across patients. It offers a precise understanding of surgical outcomes and supports integration of precision medicine principles in lipedema surgery.

Lipedema is a chronic and potentially progressive fat distribution disorder. Disease-related symptoms, such as pain and discomfort, can require surgical intervention when conservative therapies are exhausted. These megaliposuctions are functional in nature and need to be distinguished from esthetic liposuctions. This new surgical approach, the hybrid technique combining power-assisted liposuction (PAL) with manual extraction (ME), has been developed to more effectively treat fibrotic nodules, particularly in the lower legs, where conventional liposuction techniques often fall short.

An expanding array of diagnostic techniques for lymphedema detection and monitoring constitutes a growing aspect of lymphedema care. This discipline includes both the development and the clinical integration of methods to optimize and tailor clinical care for individuals affected by (or at risk for) lymphedema. A case-based approach highlights the practical application of these diagnostic modalities.

Lipedema is a clinical entity that deserves special attention, as it predominantly affects women during specific hormonal phases such as menarche, pregnancy and menopause. Among the available treatments, surgery is considered the most invasive and is usually indicated for severe cases. As an alternative, conservative therapies may be recommended, including photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), which still requires scientific substantiation to validate its effectiveness. We conducted a clinical study involving three patients who underwent dermolipectomy for previously indicated medical reasons. Prior to surgery, PBMT was applied using red and infrared LED irradiation on one side of the body, with the contralateral side serving as a non-irradiated control. PBMT was administered 3–4 h before the surgical procedure. The excised skin samples from both treated and control sites were subjected to histopathological analysis. Qualitative assessments (H&E staining) and adipocyte histomorphometry were performed, alongside immunohistochemistry using the following markers: caspase-3 (apoptosis), CD68 (macrophages), COX-2 and Cytochome P4501A1 (CYP1A1). Results demonstrate positive effects, including a reduced adipocyte size in irradiated sites modulation of inflammatory process and increasing COX-2 and macrophage activity in this early post-treatment phase, enhanced adipocyte apoptosis, and upregulation of aromatase (CYP1A1). These membrane-associated hemoproteins are known to catalyze mono-oxygenation of both endogenous and exogenous substrates such as hormones, fatty acids. This is the first study to investigate the effects of PBMT in lipedema patients. Despite is preliminary nature, the findings suggest that PBMT exerts beneficial biological effects on lipedema tissue when applied under the tested parameters.

Background: We aimed to assess the sleep quality and the relationship between sleep and fatigue and quality of life in female lipedema patients.Methods and Results: A total of 52 patients with lipedema (Group 1) and 40 healthy control subjects (Group 2) were enrolled. The type and stage of lipedema were recorded for Group 1. The quality of sleep was assessed by using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) was used for assessing fatigue. Quality of life was assessed with the World Health Organization Quality of Life. The mean age of the patient group was 45.26 ± 9.81, whereas it was 42.10 ± 6.36 years in the control group (p > 0.05). The mean body mass index was 30.23 ± 4.70 in Group 1 and 28.55 ± 4.14 in Group 2 (p > 0.05). The total PSQI score was 10 (range: 7–12.75) in Group 1 and 8 (range: 5–10) in Group 2 (p < 0.05). There was no difference between the groups in terms of FSS. In the assessment of quality of life, only the physical function domain was significantly poorer in Group 1 than in Group 2 (p < 0.05). Physical function was correlated with subjective sleep quality, sleep disorder, and daytime dysfunction; fatigue was correlated with sleep disorder, daytime dysfunction, and use of sleep medications (p < 0.05). There was a correlation between the total PSQI score and physical functioning and fatigue (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Female patients with lipedema have poor sleep quality and decreased quality of life. Sleep disturbance is associated with both physical function and fatigue. Quality of sleep should be questioned in every assessment of patients with lipedema.

Background: Lipedema, a chronic condition affecting mostly women, involves painful bilateral increase of subcutaneous adipose tissue. The societal impact of this disease is still poorly understood. This study aimed to validate the Lymphedema Quality-of-Life Questionnaire (LYMQOL) for lipedema patients in Germany, assessing its feasibility, reliability, and validity.Methods and Results: A total of 81 German-speaking stage II lipedema patients were asked to complete both the LYMQOL (arm and leg versions) and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaires twice, and this was 2 weeks apart. Feasibility was evaluated through response rates, scale structure via factor analysis, validity through SF-36 correlations, and reliability through internal consistency and test-retest reliability analysis. A valid 68% response rate was achieved. Both arm and leg versions demonstrated construct validity with significant correlations to SF-36 subscales. Internal consistency for the leg version was acceptable to excellent, and good to excellent for the arm version. Test-retest reliability was very good for both versions.Conclusions: This study validates the LYMQOL as a robust tool for assessing lipedema patients’ quality of life, and also validates the German translation contained in this article. We hope to fill a critical research gap and support future clinical studies aiming at enhancing patient care.

Background/Objectives: Lipedema is a chronic adipose tissue disorder characterized by disproportionate fat accumulation and inflammation, predominantly affecting women. While recent evidence suggests a systemic pro-inflammatory state in lipedema, the role of diet in modulating inflammation remains underexplored. This study assessed the anti-inflammatory potential of a Mediterranean-style ketogenic diet and its effects after 7 months of adherence on systemic inflammation markers (CRP and IL-6) in women with lipedema (n = 24) and a control group with overweight/obesity (n = 24). Methods: The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) was used to characterize the inflammatory potential of the diet throughout the intervention. Dietary intake was analyzed pre- and post-intervention, and anthropometric, body composition, and biochemical parameters were measured. Results: Beyond its beneficial effects on body composition (significant reductions in body weight, fat, leg circumferences, and visceral fat), the intervention diet also demonstrated anti-inflammatory potential. In lipedema, baseline diet showed a pro-inflammatory DII profile (DII/day = 3.04), which was reduced by about 1.5 points after the intervention (p = 0.008). When expressed per 1000 kcal, the DII values were markedly lower for both baseline (DII = 0.22) and intervention diet (DII = ~0.01). Following the intervention diet, reduction in CRP (-0.39, p = 0.016) and IL-6 levels (-0.33, p = 0.034) in lipedema were observed. A significant positive association was observed between the intervention diet's DII and CRP (r = 0.55, p = 0.005), and between the baseline diet's DII and IL-6 (r = 0.50, p = 0.013) in lipedema group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that ketogenic diet rich in anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrients can reduce systemic inflammation in lipedema patients, independently of caloric restriction.

BACKGROUND: Lipedema is a chronic disorder of adipose tissue that predominantly affects women and is frequently misdiagnosed as obesity or lymphedema. Traditionally associated with the lower extremities, lipedema can also involve the abdominal region, although there are currently no established diagnostic criteria for abdominal lipedema. This study aims to propose a diagnostic algorithm for abdominal lipedema based on clinical features, macroscopic observations, and ultrasound findings. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed data from 327 patients treated between March 2018 and March 2024 for lipedema, including those with abdominal involvement. Clinical evaluations, ultrasound imaging, and surgical outcomes were examined to assess the prevalence and characteristics of abdominal lipedema. Patients were classified based on lipedema severity, and criteria for abdominal lipedema diagnosis were established through clinical and imaging data. RESULTS: The study identified that abdominal involvement increases with the severity of lipedema, with 31% of patients with stage II lipedema and 70% of those with stage III lipedema exhibiting abdominal manifestations. The proposed diagnostic algorithm includes maximum, major, and minor criteria, such as symmetrical fat deposition, pain, and non-responsiveness to diet and exercise. Specific threshold values for each category were defined to establish the diagnosis. The findings highlight the existence of both ascending (from legs to abdomen) and descending (from arms to abdomen) centripetal progression patterns, challenging traditional notions that limit lipedema to the extremities CONCLUSION: Abdominal lipedema is a significant and underrecognized manifestation of the condition, requiring specific diagnostic criteria to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The study proposes a diagnostic framework based on clinical and imaging features that can improve the recognition and management of abdominal lipedema. Multidisciplinary treatment approaches, including both conservative measures and surgical interventions such as abdominoplasty and liposuction, are recommended to improve patient outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

Introduction:Lipedema is a progressive chronic condition that mainly affects women, and is characterized by disproportionate subcutaneous fat accumulation in the extremities, causing pain, edema, and impaired quality of life.Objective:This study evaluated the outcomes of the lipedema definition technique (LDT) for the treatment of lipedema, focusing on clinical efficacy, quality of life improvement, and patient satisfaction.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted with 67 women who underwent the LDT to treat lipedema (types II to V and stages 1 to 4). Analyzed variables included weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, total body water, InBody score, ideal weight, fat-free mass, basal metabolic rate, waist-to-hip ratio, visceral fat level, and percentage of obesity. The Lipedema Symptoms Assessment Questionnaire and complementary questionnaire were applied to assess satisfaction and clinical outcomes. Study assessments were conducted preoperatively, 90 days after surgery, and completed 2 years later.Results:A total of 34 patients (mean age of 40 years) were included; most had stage 2 lipedema (50.7%) and type IV (49.2%). After 90 days of the LDT, significant reductions were observed in weight (−2.5 kg, P = .001), body mass index (−0.9 kg/m2, P = .001), body fat percentage (−3.1%, P = .001), visceral fat (−1.8 points, P = .001), and percentage of obesity (−4.3%, P = .001). Moreover, fat levels in the upper and lower quadrants were significantly reduced, and bioimpedance analysis showed changes in all 5 body segments after LDT. Improvements in quality of life (89.4%) and pain reduction (87.2%) were reported. High satisfaction rates (91.5%) were observed, with 81.0% of patients reporting positive outcomes and 75.0% maintaining results in the long term.Conclusion:Lipedema definition technique was effective in reducing fat, improving quality of life, and achieving high patient satisfaction. This study reinforces the role of surgery as an intervention for lipedema, promoting important clinical and aesthetic benefits.

Lipedema is a chronic, progressive adipose connective tissue disorder characterized by symmetrical, disproportionate fat accumulation, typically affecting the lower extremities and arms, accompanied by pain, swelling, and a sensation of heaviness. This study introduces intermediate Stages 1.5 and 2.5 to the established lipedema classification (Stages 1, 2 and 3), and other affected areas, based on physical examination, a questionnaire, and photographic documentation. Bioelectrical Impedance Spectroscopy (BIS) was employed to quantify total body water (TBW) across stages. A significant and linear increase in BMI was observed from Stage 1 to 3, correlating with increased reported pain and heaviness in the thighs, calves, and upper arms. Systemic symptoms of brain fog, debilitating fatigue, and hypothermia were significantly prevalent. TBW demonstrated a significant, stage-dependent increase in the lower extremities. Adipose tissue accumulation over the knees and feet significantly increased with lipedema stage. In contrast, shin involvement was evident in early stages and remained consistently elevated throughout later stages. Skeletal Muscle Mass (SMM) exhibited a significant increase across lipedema stages, positively correlating with fat mass (FM) in Stage 3. This study elucidates previously underrecognized clinical features and distribution patterns of lipedema, offering a refined staging system to improve understanding of its progression and burden.

ObjectiveThe incidence of lipedema is poorly described due to its confusion with lymphedema. Patient education is crucial for treatment and prevention strategies but also for improving healthcare outcomes. This study assessed and compared the quality of English and Spanish online resources for patients suffering from lipedema using a multimetric approach.MethodsA deidentified Google search using the terms "lipedema" and "lipedema español" was conducted. The first 10 academic/organizational websites in each language were selected. Quality assessment was performed using the Patient Education and Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT), Cultural Sensitivity Assessment Tool (CSAT), Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG), and facticity criteria to evaluate understandability and actionability, cultural sensitivity, readability, and factual quality, respectively.ResultsEnglish webpages scored 73.70% for understandability and 35.0% for actionability, while Spanish webpages scored 75.05% and 21.0%, respectively; no significant differences were found between languages in understandability (p = .970) and actionability (p = .895). A significantly higher proportion of Spanish resources was found to be culturally sensible than English resources (90% vs 70%; p < .001). However, no significant differences were found in the cultural sensitivity score (English 2.87 vs Spanish 3.01; p = .677). The grade reading level for Spanish materials was significantly lower compared to English materials (11.08 vs 13.45; p = .006). Factual quality was low across both languages according to the facticity framework, though English materials scored higher than Spanish (2.20 vs 1.00; p = .051).ConclusionOur results suggest that online English and Spanish materials on lipedema have inadequate actionability, facticity, and reading grade levels for patients. Nonetheless, the levels of understandability and cultural sensitivity are acceptable. Enhancing the quality of online health literature for lipedema patients presents an opportunity to alleviate psychosocial burdens and address misconceptions.

To determine the frequency of neuropathic pain in patients with lipedema and to assess the impact of neuropathic pain on quality of life and its correlation with clinical variables.

Objectives To identify research priorities related to the diagnosis, treatment and management of lipoedema. Design This was a research question priority-setting that ensured the involvement of patients, relatives and healthcare professionals in all parts. It consisted of the following steps: identifying research questions through an open survey, seeking input from patients, patient relatives and healthcare professionals. Prioritisation, including a Delphi exercise and a final priority-setting meeting. Setting Swedish healthcare and community. Participants A total of 255 participants submitted research questions. 130 participated in the prioritisation of the submitted questions. Of these, 89 were patients, 10 were relatives, 19 were healthcare professionals and 12 were representatives of patient organisations. Results 1314 potential research questions were submitted; 62 unique questions remained after analysis. 130 and 123 people answered the first and second Delphi surveys, respectively. 20 questions were discussed by 13 participants at the final priority-setting meeting. The following five research questions were selected as a top priority: (1) what criteria should apply for a diagnosis of lipoedema? (2) What outcomes are important in lipoedema research? (3) What effect does manual treatment, such as manual lymphatic drainage have on lipoedema? (4) What effect does liposuction have on lipoedema? (5) What are the effects of hormonal treatment on lipoedema? Conclusions We found a consensus between patients and healthcare professionals on topics that warrant priority in future research into lipoedema. The questions reflect both the diagnosis of the condition and research on treatment effects. We hope the results will inform researchers and research funders, and direct future studies towards important research questions. Data are available upon reasonable request.

ObjectiveTo assess the relationship between disease severity in lipedema and tissue stiffness measured using shear wave elastography (SWE) concerning pain threshold and quality of life as well as determine differences in subcutaneous tissue stiffness between patients with lipedema and healthy subjects.Methods71 participants were subjected to measurements using subcutaneous tissue elastic modulus with SWE imaging of lower limbs at three anatomical levels. The participants were divided into two groups: those diagnosed with lipedema (Group (1) (n = 35) and healthy subjects (Group (2) (n = 36). Patients with lipedema were categorized into three stages based on disease severity. Pain levels were assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS), pain pressure threshold through algometric measurement within lipedema stages, and quality of life using EQ-5D quality of life scale in all groups.ResultsNo statistically significant differences in age, BMI, right and left three-zone elastic modulus averages were observed between the groups within BMI levels of 25-29.9 and ≥30 kg/m2 (p > .05). Same BMI group, according to lipedema stage, the mean elastic modulus of the right pretibial region in stage 2 cases was significantly higher than in stage 1 cases within BMI levels of 25-29.9 kg/m2 (p < .05). The all-region algometric measurements in Group 1 were significantly lower than those in Group 2, within BMI levels of 25-29.9 kg/m2 and ≥30 kg/m2. The average spontaneous VAS scores in Group 1 were significantly higher than those in Group 2 within the same BMI (p < .05). The VAS palpation scores in Group 1 exceeded those in Group 2 for BMI ≥30 kg/m2 (p < .05). No significant difference in VAS palpation scores was observed for BMI 25-29.9 kg/m2 (p > .05). The EQ-5D VAS scores of the control group were significantly lower than those of stage 1, 2, and 3 cases (p < .05).ConclusionsIn lipedema, pain characteristics may be more distinctive than the elastic properties of adipose tissue. Increased algometric measurements may reflect a specific objective sensation.