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Comparison of fluid and body composition measures in women with lipoedema, lymphoedema, and control participants

Resource type
Authors/contributors
Title
Comparison of fluid and body composition measures in women with lipoedema, lymphoedema, and control participants
Abstract
Lipoedema is the disproportionate accumulation of adipose tissue in the lower body, often associated with hormonal changes in women. Lipoedema is commonly misdiagnosed as lymphoedema or obesity due to similarities in appearance. The aim of this study is to compare body composition and fluid measures of women with lipoedema, lymphoedema, and matched control participants, to determine differences that may help distinguish between each condition. One hundred and eleven participants aged over 18, who presented with the complaint of leg swelling and underwent indocyanine green lymphography were included in this study. Our analysis showed that the individuals with lymphoedema had a significantly higher overall total body water (lymphoedema: 9.6 ± 4.2 L, lipoedema: 7.4 ± 2.3 L, control: 7.5 ± 1.8 L; p < .001) and extracellular fluid (lymphoedema: 4.6 ± 1.6, lipoedema: 3.4 ± 1.0 L, control: 3.5 ± 0.7 L; p < .001) in the legs when compared to individuals with lipoedema and matched control participants. Individuals with lipoedema had a significantly higher overall fat mass as a percentage of body weight when compared to individuals with lymphoedema (lymphoedema: 33.1% ± 9.5%, lipoedema: 39.4% ± 6.5%; p = .003). We are unable to distinguish between individuals with lipoedema and control participants, therefore further research needs to be conducted to help reduce misdiagnosis.
Publication
Clinical Obesity
Pages
e12658
Date
2024-03-28
Journal Abbr
Clin Obes
Language
eng
ISSN
1758-8111
Library Catalog
PubMed
Citation
Stellmaker, R., Thompson, B., Mackie, H., & Koelmeyer, L. (2024). Comparison of fluid and body composition measures in women with lipoedema, lymphoedema, and control participants. Clinical Obesity, e12658. https://doi.org/10.1111/cob.12658