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Lipoedema is a loose connective tissue disease primarily affecting women characterized by an abnormal build-up of painful fat in the legs and arms. In healthcare, lipoedema is often confused with obesity, and today, diagnostic tools and standardized guidelines for adequate treatments are lacking. Still, research on how affected women manage their health problems and whether they are satisfied with their care remains sparse. Therefore, this study aimed to contribute knowledge on healthcare experiences, and their use and self-reported effects of self-care and treatments among women with lipoedema.

This narrative review comprehensively analyzes VLEKT as an advanced nutritional strategy for obesity management. The focus is on the beneficial effects on key disease organs, such as adipose tissue and liver, as well as the modulation of intestinal permeability and its fundamental role in influencing the gut microbiota and inflammatory pathways.

Lipedema is a chronic disorder characterized by disproportionate fat accumulation in the extremities, predominantly affecting women. Unlike obesity, lipedema might be associated with a lower prevalence of metabolic alterations despite often coexisting with overweight or obesity. Fat distribution pla …

IntroductionLipedema is a chronic and progressive adipose tissue disorder that predominantly affects women. However, despite its high prevalence and severe negative impact on quality of life, it remains significantly underdiagnosed. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and awareness of …

Lipedema is characterized by fat accumulation in the limbs, sparing the trunk, hands, and feet. Its etiology remains uncertain, but may be related to genetic and female hormones. Several theories suggest an association with chronic inflammation and fibrosis. Pain, spontaneous bruising, and increased diameter of the affected areas are the most frequent signs and symptoms. Diagnosis is primarily clinical, but frequently supported by imaging techniques, including ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and lymphoscintigraphy to differentiate lipedema from other similar conditions. This study retrospectively analyzed ultrasonographic images of 34 female patients, clinically diagnosed with lipedema and correlated structural patterns with different stages of inflammation and fibrosis in the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The images were obtained in 2024 using high-frequency linear transducers (12 - 15 MHz). The findings enabled the identification of potentially characteristic changes for the development of a classification that may assist in diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of this condition. However, while ultrasonography has already been incorporated into routine medical practice to investigate lipedema, prospective and comparative multicenter studies that correlate ultrasound findings with the clinical stage of the disease are necessary to validate the applicability of this approach.

Background: Lipedema is an adipose tissue disorder in women, with an abnormal fat deposition in lower limbs and occasionally upper limbs. The condition is characterized by pain, bruising, heaviness, and mobility impairment. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the effects of a modified Complete Decongestive Therapy protocol using the Godoy Method in the postoperative period following lipedema surgery. Methods: In total, 293 participants who underwent liposuction for lipedema were studied. The postoperative physiotherapy protocol included Godoy cervical stimuli, Manual Lymphatic Drainage based on Godoy maneuvers, mechanical lymphatic drainage with RAGodoy®, compression with bandages, skin care, and therapeutic education. Results: This study found that the number of physiotherapy sessions significantly reduced pain (p = 0.000) and other complications (p = 0.007) and increased mobility (p = 0.003). The number of physiotherapy sessions showed significant differences in pain intensity at 90 days posttreatment (p = 0.000). In total, 47.24% of the participants became functionally independent on the third day of the physiotherapy intervention (p = 0.003). A total of 40.96% of the participants developed some complications, although a relationship between inadequate compression and the occurrence of complications was also found in 36.52% of patients. Conclusions: The success of surgical treatment for lipedema not only depends on the surgery itself but also on the proper management of the patient in the perioperative period to minimize complications and prevent recurrence. The Complete Decongestive Therapy protocol modified with the Godoy Method showed effects on pain reduction, mobility increase, edema reabsorption, and prevention of complications, consequently enhancing functionality and quality of life for patients undergoing lipedema surgery.

Our study highlights frequent comorbidities in patients with lipedema, including chronic venous disease, obesity, and mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. The distribution of comorbidities supports the need for tailored management. The correlation between disease stages, age, and …

Lipedema is a chronic disease in females characterized by pathologic subcutaneous adipose tissue expansion and hitherto remains without druggable targets. In this observational study, we investigated the molecular hallmarks of lipedema using an unbiased multi-omics approach. We found adipokine dysregulation in lipedema patients participating in a cross-sectional clinical study (ClinicalTrial.gov, NCT02838277), pointing towards the adipocyte as a key player. Analyses of newly generated transcriptomic (SRA, PRJNA940039) and proteomic (ProteomeXchange, PXD058489) datasets of early- and late-stage lipedema samples revealed a local downregulation of factors involved in inflammation. Concomitantly, factors involved in cellular respiration, oxidative phosphorylation, as well as in mitochondrial organization were upregulated. Measuring a cytokine and chemokine panel in the serum of non-menopausal women, we observed little systemic changes in inflammatory markers, but a trend towards increased VEGF. Metabolomic and lipidomic analyses highlighted altered circulating glutamic acid, glutathione, and sphingolipid levels, suggesting a broader dysregulation of metabolic and inflammatory processes. We subsequently benchmarked a set of models to accurately predict lipedema using serum factor measurements (sLPM). Our study of the molecular signature of lipedema thus provides not only potential targets for therapeutic intervention, but also candidate markers of disease development and progression.

Our data support the idea that cell alterations happen in the early stages of adipocyte development (endothelium/pericyte) in the adipose organ of women affected by lipedema.

This study underscores the need for tailored self-management interventions for people with lipoedema. The adaptation of existing self-management strategies from other chronic conditions should take into account the specific needs, barriers, and facilitators of people with lipoedema and their HCPs.

Background/Objectives: Lipedema is a progressive disease that results in the bilateral and symmetrical accumulation of subcutaneous fat in the legs and/or arms, affecting almost exclusively women. Methods: A comprehensive review of the peer-reviewed literature was conducted between November 2024 and February 2025. Results: The pathophysiology of lipedema is complex and, especially in the early stages, shows similarities to obesity, involving adipocytes, adipose tissue-resident macrophages, and endothelial cells. In lipedema, systemic levels and the adipocyte expression of the classical adipokines adiponectin and leptin appear normal, while it remains unclear if markers of inflammation and oxidative stress are increased. Macrophages in the adipose tissue of patients have an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype and express high levels of the scavenger receptor CD163. These cells affect adipogenesis and seem to have a central role in adipose tissue accumulation. Increased lymphatic and blood vessel permeability are comorbidities of lipedema that occur in early disease states and may contribute to disease progression. Conclusions: This review summarizes our current understanding of the pathophysiology of lipedema with a focus on the role of stromal vascular localized M2 macrophages.

Background Lipedema is considered an inflammation-related disease, and low-carbohydrate ketogenic diets may help reduce inflammation. However, no randomized controlled trials have investigated the effect of a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet on inflammatory markers in females with lipedema. Objectives To compare changes in inflammatory and fibrosis-associated markers after a low-energy low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) compared with a low-fat diet in females with lipedema, and to explore potential associations between changes in pain and changes in inflammatory and fibrosis-associated markers. Methods Females with lipedema and obesity were randomly assigned to either an LCD or low-fat diet (both 1200 kcal/d) for 8 weeks. Body composition [fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass] and the plasma concentrations of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), cytokines, and fibrosis-associated markers were measured pre- and postintervention. Results A total of 70 females were included (35/group) (mean age: 47.3 ± 10.9 y, BMI: 36.9 ± 4.9 kg/m2). Both groups lost weight and FM (kg and %), with a greater reduction in the LCD group. A reduction in macrophage inflammatory protein-1ß, tumor necrosis factor-α, and hsCRP was seen in the LCD group only, despite no significant differences between groups. No associations were found between changes in pain and changes in cytokines and fibrosis-associated markers. Conclusions Changes in cytokines and fibrosis-associated markers did not differ between low-energy LCD and low-fat diets in females with lipedema, despite a beneficial profile in the LCD group. Inflammation does not seem to be involved in pain reduction following LCD in this patient group. Trial registration number This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT04632810.

Background: One of the main challenges in managing lymphedema and lipedema is the lack of valid and reliable objective measures for diagnosis and follow-up. This study was aimed at gathering evidence regarding the objective measures of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) among these populations., Methods: Scopus, PubMed, and Embase were searched for observational studies investigating the objective measures of CRF among individuals with lipedema and lymphedema. Both primary and secondary lymphedema were included. Different CRF measures reported by the included articles were determined, and the main outcomes regarding these measurements were extracted. The meta-analysis was performed to compare the pooled mean 6-min walk test (6MWT) between individuals with lower limb lymphedema and lipedema using STATA software (Version 17.0)., Results: Eight articles were included, and the majority of participants were female. Four distinct objective measures of CRF were reported among the included articles, including hemodynamic indices, spirometry indices, VO2 peak, and 6MWT. The mean VO2 peak was significantly lower among women with breast cancer–related lymphedema; however, there was no correlation between affected limb volumes and the VO2 peak. The meta-analysis revealed a lower mean 6MWT among individuals with lipedema compared to lymphedema (pooled difference: 37.71 [confidence interval (CI): 5.19–70.22], p value: 0.02, I2: 0%). Also, there was a significant relationship between 6MWT and subjective measures of CRF, such as the Short Form 36 (SF-36) physical function score, in one included article., Conclusion: While limited evidence exists on the objective measures of CRF among individuals with lymphedema and lipedema, there might be a significant difference in 6MWT between these two groups.

<span><b><i>Purpose:</i></b> The study's main objective was to assess the efficacy and safety of TANIT, a platform combining functional dermal stimulation with damped bioactive current and mechanical stimulation to reduce adipose tissue (AT) in patients with stage I (SI) or II (SII) lipedema. <b><i>Method</i></b></span> …

Lipedema is characterized by abnormal fat deposition in areas such as the arms, hips, buttocks, and thighs, sparing the hands and feet. Symptoms include pain, bruising, edema, and subcutaneous nodules, which resist traditional interventions such as diet and exercise. Despite increasing recognition, …

Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are increasingly being used to treat diabetes and obesity. However, their effectiveness and risks have not yet been systematically evaluated in a comprehensive set of possible health outcomes. Here, we used the US Department of Veterans Affairs databases to build a cohort of people with diabetes who initiated GLP-1RA (n = 215,970) and compared them to those who initiated sulfonylureas (n = 159,465), dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4) inhibitors (n = 117,989) or sodium−glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors (n = 258,614), a control group composed of an equal proportion of individuals initiating sulfonylureas, DPP4 inhibitors and SGLT2 inhibitors (n = 536,068), and a control group of 1,203,097 individuals who continued use of non-GLP-1RA antihyperglycemics (usual care). We used a discovery approach to systematically map an atlas of the associations of GLP-1RA use versus each comparator with 175 health outcomes. Compared to usual care, GLP-1RA use was associated with a reduced risk of substance use and psychotic disorders, seizures, neurocognitive disorders (including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia), coagulation disorders, cardiometabolic disorders, infectious illnesses and several respiratory conditions. There was an increased risk of gastrointestinal disorders, hypotension, syncope, arthritic disorders, nephrolithiasis, interstitial nephritis and drug-induced pancreatitis associated with GLP-1RA use compared to usual care. The results provide insights into the benefits and risks of GLP-1RAs and may be useful for informing clinical care and guiding research agendas.

Background: Despite its estimated high prevalence among women and increasing awareness, lipedema remains under-investigated. Ignoring its debilitating nature, surgical treatment for this condition is frequently covered by health insurance only in advanced stages and after the exhaustion of conservative therapies. Methods: A total of 1015 patients with lipedema were recruited via social media platforms. Of these, 860 patients provided answers to at least one complete section of the modified Body-Q questionnaire (response rate 85%). The Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis tests were utilized to assess the impact of the surgical treatment by means of patient-reported outcomes on the self-perception of various body areas. Results: The satisfaction scores among conservatively treated patients for abdominal appearance, arms, back, body, buttocks, and inner thighs showed a statistically significant decline with increasing stages of lipedema. The comparison of patient evaluation scores in the appearance domain demonstrated better patient self-perception scores in patients who received at least one session of the surgical treatment for the hips and thighs (p < 0.01), inner thighs (p < 0.01), and excess skin (0.01) scales. On the body scale, the patients who underwent liposuction again reported better satisfaction scores; however, this did not reach statistical significance (p < 0.081). In the health-related quality of life domain, the patients who received liposuction treatment reported a better outcome in the body image (p < 0.01), physical function (p = 0.05), physical symptoms (p = 0.04), and psychological function (p < 0.01) scales. Conclusions: The current study underscores the burden of lipedema of affected patients and its negative impact on self-perception. As the disease progresses, conservatively treated patients experience a decline in satisfaction with various aspects of their appearance. However, surgical interventions, particularly liposuction, does not address esthetic concerns but significantly improve health-related quality of life across multiple domains, emphasizing the comprehensive benefits of surgical intervention in the management of lipedema.

This longitudinal study indicates liposuction is an effective treatment for improving HRQoL and symptoms in lipedema patients, although it may not completely restore HRQoL to normative levels. Limitations include potential selection bias, sampling bias, and the need for longer follow-up. The finding …

Background/Objectives: Lipedema is a chronic, progressive disorder of the adipo-fascial tissue characterized by abnormal subcutaneous fat accumulation, inflammation, fibrosis, pain, and edema. Despite its considerable impact on patients’ quality of life, it remains underdiagnosed. Recent studies have suggested a potential overlap between lipedema and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSDs), both involving connective tissue dysfunction. This work explores the shared pathophysiological features of lipedema and HSD, highlighting clinical correlations, comorbidities, and the need for integrated diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted through an online survey targeting individuals with lipedema and a control group with lymphedema. The questionnaire assessed symptoms typically associated with HSD, including musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal, urogynecological, vascular, and neuropsychological manifestations. Descriptive statistics were used to evaluate clinical patterns in both groups. Results: Among the lipedema patients, 44% reported joint hypermobility and 60% recalled being hypermobile during childhood. High rates of pediatric overweight (50%), low muscle tone (55%), and exercise-induced fatigue (70%) were observed. Adult symptoms included joint pain (notably in the ankles, knees, cervical spine, sacrum, and feet), digestive issues (50%), and thyroid disorders (24.4%). Compared with the control group, patients with lipedema showed significantly more connective tissue-related motor deficits and systemic symptoms. Conclusions: Connective tissue laxity may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of lipedema, contributing to multisystemic manifestations through vascular, lymphatic, gastrointestinal, and musculoskeletal involvement. The high prevalence of HSD-like features calls for a paradigm shift in the understanding of lipedema as a systemic disorder. Early identification of connective tissue alterations, especially in children with familial predisposition, could enable timely interventions, potentially mitigating disease progression. A multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach is essential for accurate diagnosis and effective management.