Okhovat JP, Alavi A, et al.
The international journal of lower extremity wounds. Date of publication 2015 Sep 1;volume 14(3):262-7.
1. Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2015 Sep;14(3):262-7. doi: 10.1177/1534734614554284.
Epub 2014 Oct 17.
Lipedema: A Review of the Literature.
Okhovat JP(1), Alavi A(2).
Author information:
(1)University of California Los Angeles, CA, USA.
(2)University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada afsaneh.alavi@utoronto.ca.
Lipedema is a disorder of adipose tissue that primarily affects females and is
often misdiagnosed as obesity or lymphedema. Relatively few studies have defined
the precise pathogenesis, epidemiology, and management strategies for this
disorder, yet the need to successfully identify this disorder as a unique entity
has important implications for proper treatment. In this review, we sought to
review and identify information in the existing literature with respect to the
epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, differential diagnosis, and
management strategies for lipedema. The current literature suggests that lipedema
appears to be a clinical entity thought to be related to both genetic factors and
fat distribution. While distinct from lymphedema and obesity, there are some
existing treatments such as complex decongestive physiotherapy, liposuction, and
laser-assisted lipolysis. Management of lipedema is complex and distinct from
lymphedema. The role of newer randomized controlled studies to further explore
the management of this clinical entity remains promising.
© The Author(s) 2014.
DOI: 10.1177/1534734614554284
PMID: 25326446 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
