Sarcopenia and Related Factors in Lipedema

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.

Inclusion Criteria:between the ages of 18-85with a diagnosis of lipoedemawho agreed to participate in the studyhaving a sociocultural level suitable for participation in the studyhealthy volunteers in a similar age group for the control groupExclusion Criteria:with chronic venous insufficiency and/or lymphedemawith Parkinson's disease, previous stroke, cerebellar diseases, multiple sclerosis, major depression, neuromuscular diseases, history of major orthopedic surgery, severe hip/knee osteoarthritis, rheumatological diseases, malignancies, advanced heart/liver/renal failure, visual impairment, and vestibular diseases, and those who use any assistive device to walkwho are illiterate and have cognitive impairment that will prevent them from giving written consent will not be included in the study