Comparison of Complete Decongestive Therapy With Intermittent Pneumatic Compression for Treatment of Lipedema

Lipedema is a chronic, progressive and hereditary adipose tissue disorder characterized by an abnormal increase of subcutaneous adipose tissue, especially in the lower extremities. In contrast to obesity, lipoedema may not improve with weight loss and does not include the risk of metabolic syndrome such as diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia. However, if not treated for lipedema, medical complications such as hypermobility, joint problems, walking difficulties, and psychological complications such as anxiety and depression may develop.The aim of this study was to compare the effects of combined decongestive treatment and intermittent pneumatic compression treatment combined with aerobic exercise on pain, quality of life and fatigue in patients with lipedema.

Lipedema is a chronic, progressive and hereditary adipose tissue disorder characterized by an abnormal increase of subcutaneous adipose tissue, especially in the lower extremities. It is often seen in female sex. The main determinants of lipedema are bilateral symmetric swelling of the hypodermis of the legs which are painful with palpation or spontaneous and easy ecchymosis and hematoma with minor trauma. Lipedema usually begins in the period of hormonal change in adolescence or after a few years and can progress in women during hormone changes such as pregnancy, gynecologic surgery or menopause. Lipedema is a different diagnosis from obesity, but it can be misdiagnosed as primary obesity due to clinical overlap. In contrast to obesity, lipoedema may not improve with weight loss and does not include the risk of metabolic syndrome such as diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidemia. However, if not treated for lipedema, medical complications such as hypermobility, joint problems, walking difficulties, and psychological complications such as anxiety and depression may develop. However, if not treated for lipedema, medical complications such as hypermobility, joint problems, walking difficulties and psychological complications such as anxiety and depression may develop. Treatment for lipedema includes conservative and surgical options. In conservative treatment to control edema, combined decongestive treatment which consists of manual lymphatic drainage and compression bandaging, intermittent pneumatic compression and exercise options are included. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of combined decongestive treatment and intermittent pneumatic compression treatment combined with aerobic exercise on pain, quality of life and fatigue in patients with lipedema.