RecruitingNCT05739279

Sarcopenia and Related Factors in Lipedema

Evaluation of Sarcopenia and Associated Factors in Patients with Lipedema

Sponsor

Dokuz Eylul University

Enrollment

102 participants

Start Date

Jan 1, 2023

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Conditions

Sarcopenia Musculoskeletal Diseases Lipedema

Summary

Lipedema is a common disease of subcutaneous adipose tissue. The most common complaint of patients with swelling in the affected extremity is pain. In addition, patients with lipedema may experience conditions that can greatly affect the health and quality of life of the individual, such as loss of muscle strength and exercise capacity, and deterioration in activity levels of daily living. It is still unknown whether the decrease in muscle strength in patients with lipedema is part of this condition or whether decreased activity levels lead to decreased muscle strength. Sarcopenia is an important health problem characterized by age-related loss of muscle mass and muscle function. The relationship between muscle weakness and sarcopenia in patients with lipedema has not been investigated before. Early recognition of possible sarcopenia and functional limitations in these patients may be important to increase the ability of patients to participate in physical activity as part of their conservative management. There is no study in the literature investigating sarcopenia in patients with a diagnosis of lipedema. The aim of this study is to evaluate patients with a diagnosis of lipedema in terms of sarcopenia. In addition, the relationship between sarcopenia and age, body mass index, exercise frequency, lipedema type, and stage will be investigated in patients diagnosed with lipedema.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin Age: 18 YearsMax Age: 85 Years

Plain Language Summary

Simplified for easier understanding

This study examines whether women with lipedema — a chronic condition causing disproportionate, painful fat accumulation typically in the legs and arms — are at increased risk of sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength. Lipedema is often dismissed as obesity or lymphedema and remains poorly understood. Given the chronic pain and mobility challenges it causes, affected women may be less physically active, which could accelerate muscle loss over time and compound disability. Females aged 18 to 85 with a confirmed diagnosis of lipedema who are able to participate and give written consent are eligible. A control group of healthy volunteers in a similar age range is also enrolled for comparison. Women with additional chronic conditions affecting mobility (such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, severe osteoarthritis, or heart/liver/kidney failure), those with visual impairment, cognitive impairment, or those who require a walking aid are excluded. Participants undergo assessments of muscle mass, strength, and physical function. No treatment is administered. This research matters because identifying and treating sarcopenia in lipedema patients could open a new avenue of care — one that addresses not just the fat tissue abnormality but also the downstream loss of muscle that makes daily life increasingly difficult for these women.

This summary was AI-generated to explain the trial in plain language. It is not medical advice. Always discuss eligibility with your doctor before enrolling in a clinical trial.

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Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTSTAR-Sonographic Thigh Adjustment Ratio

With ultrasonography, anterior thigh muscle thickness on the dominant extremity side will be measured at a 50% level between the anterior superior iliac spine and the upper pole of the patella in the supine position. The STAR-sonographic thigh adjustment ratio will be calculated by dividing the anterior thigh muscle thickness (mm) by the body mass index.

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTHand Grip Strength

Hand grip strength will be measured with a Jamar dynamometer used in the second grip position, in a sitting position with shoulders adducted and neutrally rotated, elbows flexed to 90°, and forearms/wrists in the neutral position. Three repetitive measurements will be made from the dominant side and the maximum value obtained for analysis will be taken.

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTChair Stand Test

For the 5-repeat stand-up test, patients will be asked to get up from a chair without an armrest and sit (at the start) five times as fast as possible with their arms crossed over their chest.

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST6 Meter Gait Speed

For walking speed measurements, patients will be asked to stand with both feet touching the starting line and walk at their normal speed on a 6-meter track after the command. The time between the start and end will be measured with a stopwatch and converted to meters/second. Three consecutive measurements will be made for both and average values will be taken for the analyses.

Locations(1)

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical Faculty of Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey

Izmir, Turkey (Türkiye)

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NCT05739279

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