Lipedema: diagnosis, treatment and the vicious cycle - a review of the literature

• Published in: Quality in Sport 2025-02, Vol.38, p.57746
• Main Authors: Głowacka, Justyna, Tekiela, Natalia, Papachristoforou, Natalie, Michałka, Daria, Gałuszka, Zuzanna, Makar, Monika, Bartuś, Tomasz, Bąk, Emilia, Kocjan, Aleksandra, Chmiel, Radosław
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ketogenic diet; lipedema; lipid oedema; liposuction; vicious cycle in lipedema
• ISSN: 2450-3118; 2450-3118
• DOI: 10.12775/QS.2025.38.57746

Introduction Lipedema is a chronic condition that affects the majority of women. It involves swelling in fatty parts of the body such as the buttocks, hips, thighs and calves. It usually develops during a period of hormonal changes (puberty, pregnancy or menopause) and is often confused with lymphoedema or obesity, leading to a delay in correct diagnosis and the introduction of effective treatment. Fat oedema is estimated to affect 1 in 72,000 people. However, these figures, according to many sources, are much underestimated compared to the actual occurrence of the condition due to misdiagnosis. [1] Purpose of Research The aim of this work is to commonize the knowledge around the problem of lipedema, presenting the current diagnosis and treatment. State of knowledge Lipaemia is a chronic disease characterised by the development of fatty oedema in the lower extremities (in some cases also in the upper extremities), which is resistant to exercise. The pathogenesis of the disease is unclear and diagnosis and treatment still require much research. Review Methods The literature review was based on the most recent studies. PubMed and Google Scholar open databases were used in the research. The focus was put on literature published between 2013 and 2024. Summary Lipedema hinders women's physical, psychological and social functioning. Current diagnosis and treatment is not sufficient to be certain of an accurate diagnosis and to apply appropriate treatment. However, knowledge about this disease is becoming more publicised, through media, among other means, and research is being conducted at a larger scale.