Abstract
Background
Lipedema is a prevalent chronic condition in women, characterized by a painful and symmetrical accumulation of adipose tissue primarily in the lower limbs. Its diagnosis is based on specific clinical characteristics; however, these characteristics lack robust scientific validation. Furthermore, lipedema is frequently misdiagnosed as obesity. This study aims to compare quality of life and physical and psychological characteristics between patients with obesity with and without lipedema.Methods
This cross-sectional study included 30 patients with obesity and lipedema (Lip-Obes group) and 29 patients with only obesity (nonLip-Obes group). Quality of life, body composition (BMI, fat free mass, fat mass, waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-height ratio, leg volume), pain (pain pattern, pressure pain thresholds, pain interference, pain distribution, symptoms of neuropathic pain), physical functioning (hand grip strength, quadriceps strength, functional exercise capacity, functional mobility and physical activity level), and psychosocial functioning (pain catastrophizing, depression, anxiety, and stress, body image dissatisfaction, self-efficacy, and eating difficulties) were assessed using clinical measurements and self-reported outcomes. Statistical analyses were performed using independent t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests for continuous variables and Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests for categorical variables. A two-sided p-value of Results
Compared to the nonLip-Obes group, the Lip-Obes group showed greater impairments in quality of life (p 0.05).Conclusion
This cross-sectional study highlights the complex nature of lipedema, providing preliminary evidence of differences in quality of life and distinct body composition and physical and physiological characteristics between patients with obesity with and without lipedema. These results emphasize the need for further research to identify diagnostic biomarkers for lipedema through in-depth investigations. Future studies should also focus on developing and optimizing a multidisciplinary treatment approach tailored to the unique characteristics of patients with lipedema.