Lipedema identified as complex systemic condition

Lipedema is a complex systemic condition that is frequently misdiagnosed as obesity or lymphedema. According to medical expert Dr. Marzia Bernardi, the condition is characterized by an abnormal and symmetrical accumulation of fat, primarily in the legs, thighs, and hips. While once thought to be solely a chronic inflammatory disease of adipose tissue, it is now understood to involve the connective tissue, microcirculation, lymphatic system, and venous system.

As a genetic pathology, lipedema is almost exclusively found in women and can be activated by hormonal changes. The constant inflammation associated with the condition may lead to further complications, such as insulin resistance, gestational diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or gut microbiome issues. Symptoms include pain, easy bruising, heaviness in the lower limbs, cramps, subcutaneous nodules, and a visible disproportion between the upper body and lower limbs.

Estimates suggest that approximately 10-11% of the female population in Italy suffers from lipedema, while globally, the condition affects roughly one in nine women.