Lipedema and Related Research
Lipedema Foundation’s LegATO Library
The Lipedema Foundation has a new way to search for papers on lipedema research called the LegATO library.
Standards of Care
Alcolea, J., Alonso, A., Arroyo, B., et al. (2018). Documento de consenso lipedema: Consensus document on lipedema. Spanish Association of Lymphedema and Lipedema.
Bertsch, T., & Erbacher, G. (2018). Lipoedema — myths and facts, part 1. Phlebologie.
Bertsch, T., & Erbacher, G. (2018). Lipoedema — myths and facts, part 2. Phlebologie.
Bertsch, T., & Erbacher, G. (2018). Lipoedema — myths and facts, part 3. Phlebologie.
Bertsch, T., & Erbacher, G., & Torio-Padron, N. (2019). Lipoedema — myths and facts, part 4. Phlebologie.
Bertsch, T., Erbacher, G., Corda, D., et al. (2020). Lipoedema — myths and facts, part 5. European best practice of lipoedema — Summary of the European lipoedema forum consensus. Phlebologie.
Bertsch, T., Erbacher, G., & Elwell, R. (2020). Lipoedema: A paradigm shift and consensus. Journal of Wound Care.
Bertsch, T., & Erbacher, G. (2021). Response to the letter to the editor regarding lipoedema — myths and facts, part 1 and part 5. Phlebologie.
Coppel, T., Cunneen, J., Gordon, K., et al. (2017). Best practice guidelines: The Management of lipoedema. Wounds UK.
Faerber, G., Cornely, M., Daubert, C., et al. (2024). S2k guidelines: Lipedema. Journal of the German Society of Dermatology.
Halk, A., & Damstra, R. (2017). First Dutch guidelines on lipedema using the international classification of functioning, disability and health. Phlebology.
Herbst, K., Kahn, L., Iker, E., et al. (2021). Letter to the editor regarding lipoedema — myths and facts, part 1 and part 5. Phlebologie.
Reich-Schupke, S., Schmeller, W., Brauer, W., et al. (2017). S1 guidelines: Lipedema. Journal of the German Society of Dermatology.
Recent Research
Al-Ghadban, S., Cromer, W., Allen, M., et al. (2019). Dilated blood and lymphatic microvessels, angiogenesis, increased macrophages, and adipocyte hypertrophy in lipedema thigh skin and fat tissue. Journal of Obesity.
Al-Ghadban, S., Evancio, J., Alfiscar, P., et al. (2025). New characterization of lipedema stages: Focus on pain, water, fat and skeletal muscle. Life.
Al-Ghadban, S., Guo, Y., Juskiewicz, Z., et al. (2026). Vascular changes and their implications in lipedema. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology.
Allen, M., Schwartz, M., & Herbst, K. (2020). Interstitial fluid in lipedema and control skin. Women’s Health Reports.
Alshomer, F., Lee, S., Kim, Y., et al. (2024). 311-316. doi: . PMID: 38737852; PMCID: PMC11081723.
Lipedema associated with skin hypoperfusion and ulceration: Soft tissue debulking improving skin perfusion. Archives of Plastic Surgery.
Amato, A. (2025). Chondromalacia in lipedema: The sarcopenic-valgus cascade that keeps getting missed. Cureus.
Amato, A., Amato, J., & Benitti, D. (2023). The association between lipedema and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Cureus.
Amato, A., & Benitti, D. (2021). Lipedema can be treated non-surgically: A report of 5 cases. American Journal of Case Reports.
Amato, A., Saucedo, D., Santos, K., et al. (2021). Ultrasound criteria for lipedema diagnosis. Phlebology: The Journal of Venous Disease.
Bonetti, G., Michelini, S., Donato, K., et al. (2023). Targeting mast cells: Sodium cromoglycate as a possible treatment of lipedema. Clinical Therapeutics.
Bouillon, V., Hinson, C., Hu, M., et al. (2023). Management of lipedema beyond liposuction: A case study. Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum.
Bruno, A., & Cilluffo, M. (2025). Shockwave therapy in lipedema patients: A prospective study. Phlebology.
Cannataro, R., & Cione, E. (2022). Nutritional supplements and lipedema: Scientific and rational use. Nutraceuticals.
Chachaj, A., Fleszar, M., Lewandowski, L., et al. (2026). Changes in vascular, lymphatic, inflammatory, and lipid mediators during a 7-month calorie-restricted low-carbohydrate, high-fat dietary intervention in women with lipedema: A preliminary prospective study. Nutrients.
Cifarelli, V., Smith, G., Gonzalez-Nieves, S., et al. (2025). Adipose tissue biology and effect of weight loss in women with lipedema. Diabetes.
Ciudad, P., Bustos, V., Escandon, J., et al. (2024). Outcomes of liposuction techniques for management of lipedema: A case series and narrative review. Annals of Translational Medicine.
Crescenzi, R., Marton, A., Donahue, P., et al. (2017). Tissue sodium content is elevated in the skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue in women with lipedema. Obesity.
Czerwinska, M., Gruszecki, M., Ruminski, J., et al. (2024). Evaluation of the effectiveness of compression therapy combined with exercises versus exercises only among lipedema patients using various outcome measures. Life.
Czerwinska, M., Teodorczyk, J., Spychala, D., et al. (2023). The usefulness of the application of compression therapy among lipedema patients — Pilot study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
Dal’Forno-Dini, T., Birck, M., Saalfeld, R., et al. (2026). Lipedema: Pathophysiological insights and therapeutic strategies — An update for dermatologists. Anais Brasileiros de Dermatologia.
Drygalski, K., Higos, R., Merabtene, F., et al. (2024). Extracellular matrix hyaluronan modulates fat cell differentiation and primary cilia dynamics. Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids.
Duhon, B., Phan, T., Taylor, S., et al. (2022). Current mechanistic understandings of lymphedema and lipedema: Tales of fluid, fat, and fibrosis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Elio, C., Guaitolini, E., Paccasassi, S., et al. (2014). Application of microcurrents of bioresonance and transdermal delivery of active principles in lymphedema and lipedema of the lower limbs: A pilot study. Italian Journal of Dermatology and Venereology.
Ertuglu, L., Sahinoz, M., Alsouqi, A., et al. (2024). Intermuscular adipose tissue accumulation is associated with higher tissue sodium in healthy individuals. Physiological Reports.
Faria, A., Valerio, C., Barcellos, C., et al. (2026). Unraveling lipedema: comprehensive insights and the path to future discoveries. Metabolic Health and Disease.
Grewal, T., Kempa, S., & Buechler, C. (2025). Lipedema: A disease triggered by M2 polarized macrophages? Biomedicines.
Herbst, K., Zelaya, C., Sommerville, M., et al. (2025). An advanced pneumatic compression therapy system improves leg volume and fluid, adipose tissue thickness, symptoms, and quality of life and reduces risk of lymphedema in women with lipedema. Life.
Ishaq, M., Bandara, N., Morgan, S., et al. (2022). Key signaling networks are dysregulated in patients with the adipose tissue disorder, lipedema. International Journal of Obesity.
Janke, J., Engeli, S., Gorzelniak, K., et al. (2009). Compounds used for ‘injection lipolysis’ destroy adipocytes and other cells found in adipose tissue. Obesity Facts.
Kaftalli, J., Bonetti, G., Marceddu, G., et al. (2023). AKR1C1 and hormone metabolism in lipedema pathogenesis: A computational biology approach. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences.
King, M., Convery, C., & Davies, E. (2018). This month’s guideline: The use of hyaluronidase in aesthetic practice. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology.
Klimentidis, Y., Chen, Z., Gonzalez-Garay, M., et al. (2023). Genome-wide association study of a lipedema phenotype among women in the UK Biobank identifies multiple genetic risk factors. European Journal of Human Genetics.
Klose, G. (2020). Therapy for lipedema: Incorporating new clinical guidelines. Lipedema Pathways.
Kodama, Y., Masuda, S., Ohmori, T., et al. (2023). Response to mechanical properties and physiological challenges of fascia: Diagnosis and rehabilitative therapeutic intervention for myofascial system disorders. Bioengineering.
Kruglikov, I., & Scherer, P. (2024). Is the endotoxin–complement cascade the major driver in lipedema? Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism.
Kruppa, P., Crescenzi, R., Faerber, G. et al. (2026). Lipedema World Alliance Delphi consensus-based position paper on the definition and management of lipedema: Results from the 2023 Lipedema World Congress in Potsdam. Nature Communications.
Kruppa, P., Gohlke, S., Tapinski, K., et al. (2023). Lipedema stage affects adipocyte hypertrophy, subcutaneous adipose tissue inflammation and interstitial fibrosis. Frontiers in Immunology.
Langevin, H., Nedergaard, M., & Howe, A. (2013). Cellular control of connective tissue matrix tension. Journal of Cellular Biochemistry.
Luchinger, J., Pavicic, E., Giachino, C., et al. (2026). Impact of hormones on lipedema development: A systematic literature review. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics.
Lv, Y., Zhang, Y., Guo, X., et al. (2025). Evidence that metformin promotes fibrosis resolution via activating alveolar epithelial stem cells and FGFR2b signaling. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B.
Markussen, L., Rondini, E., Johansen, O., et al. (2022). Lipolysis regulates major transcriptional programs in brown adipocytes. Nature Communications.
Michelini, S., Greco, S., Vaia, N., et al. (2025). Endothelial cell alterations in capillaries of adipose tissue from patients affected by lipedema. Obesity.
Mohseni, Y., Vazirnia, A., Minokadeh, A., et al. (2026). Targeting inflammation and fibrosis in lipedema: The potential role of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist therapies. Dermatologic Surgery.
Morgan, S., Reid, I., Bendon, C., et al. (2024). A family-based study of inherited genetic risk in lipedema. Lymphatic Research and Biology.
Mortada, H., Alhithlool, A., AlBattal, N., et al. (2025). Lipedema: Clinical features, diagnosis, and management. Archives of Plastic Surgery.
Nankam, P., Cornely, M., Kloting, N., et al. (2022). Is subcutaneous adipose tissue expansion in people living with lipedema healthier and reflected by circulating parameters? Frontiers in Endocrinology.
Petersen, K., Garza, M., Donahue, P., et al (2020). Neuroimaging of cerebral blood flow and sodium in women with lipedema. Obesity.
Podda, M., Kovacs, M., Hellmich, M., et al. (2021). A randomised controlled multicentre investigator-blinded clinical trial comparing efficacy and safety of surgery versus complex physical decongestive therapy for lipedema (LIPLEG). Trials.
Podda, M., Schmidt, J., Cornely, M., et al. (2026). Liposuction versus conservative therapy for patients with lipoedema in Germany: A multicentre, randomised controlled clinical trial. The Lancet.
Poojari, A., Dev, K., & Rabiee, A. (2022). Lipedema: Insights into morphology, pathophysiology, and challenges. Biomedicines.
Rabiee, A. (2025). Lipedema and adipose tissue: Current understanding, controversies, and future directions. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology.
Rathod, S., Pouwels, S., Schmidt, J. (2026). Lipedema and obesity: A narrative review and treatment protocol. JPRAS Open.
Ricolfi, L., Reverdito, V., Gabriele, G., et al. (2024). Micromassage Compression Leggings Associated with Physical Exercise: Pilot Study and Example of Evaluation of the Clinical and Instrumental Effectiveness of Conservative Treatment in Lipedema. Life.
Ruiz-Silva, C., Moleiro, D., & Ruiz-Silva, C.R. (2024). Treatment Of lipedema using cryolipolysis associated with microcurrents. IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences.
Sandhofer, M., Hanke, C., Barsch, M., et al. (2026). Pathogenesis of lipedema: A hypothesis-generating model of regenerative imbalance in adipose tissue. Journal of Aesthetic Medicine.
Sandhofer, M., Hanke, C., Habbema, L., et al. (2020). Prevention of progression of lipedema with liposuction using tumescent local anesthesia: Results of an international consensus conference. Dermatologic Surgery.
Scalise, A., Aggarwal, A., Sangwan, N., et al. (2024). A divergent platelet transcriptome in patients with lipedema and lymphedema. Genes.
Schneider, R. (2020). Low-frequency vibrotherapy considerably improves the effectiveness of manual lymphatic drainage (MLD) in patients with lipedema: A two-armed, randomized, controlled pragmatic trial. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice.
Schleip, R., Duerselen, L., Vleeming, A., et al. (2012). Strain hardening of fascia: Static stretching of dense fibrous connective tissues can induce a temporary stiffness increase accompanied by enhanced matrix hydration. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies.
Simarro Blasco, J., Michelini, S., Andres-Gasco, M., et al. (2025). Clinical signs at diagnosis and comorbidities in a large cohort of patients with lipedema in Spain. Biomedicines.
Soni, K., & Abbott, R. (2026). New Frontiers in modeling the lipedema microenvironment in vitro. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology.
Stecco, A., Bonaldi, L., Fontanella, C., et al. (2023). The effect of mechanical stress on hyaluronan fragments’ inflammatory cascade: Clinical implications. Life.
Steiner, M., Rinnerthaler, M., Mueller, A., et al. (2026). Adipocytes from lipedema adipose tissue show lipoma-associated nuclear atypia. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology.
Streubel, M., Baumgartner, A., Meier-Vollrath, I., et al. (2024). Transcriptomics of subcutaneous tissue of lipedema identified differentially expressed genes involved in adipogenesis, inflammation, and pain. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open.
Suga, H., Araki, J., Aoi, N., et al. (2009), Adipose tissue remodeling in lipedema: adipocyte death and concurrent regeneration. Journal of Cutaneous Pathology.
Turk, C., Erden, E., Buyuksireci, E., et al. (2024). Prevalence of fibromyalgia syndrome in women with lipedema and its effect on anxiety, depression, and quality of life. Lymphatic Research and Biology.
Viana, D., Invitti, A., & Schor E. (2025). Tirzepatide as a potential disease-modifying therapy in lipedema: A narrative review on bridging metabolism, inflammation, and fibrosis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences.
Zapata, L., Millan, F., Fernandez, R., et al. (2014). The effects of shock waves and deep oscillations on lipoedema. Journal of Aesthetic Nursing.
Zhao, W., Li, Z., Ma, S., et al. (2025). Identification of pro-fibrotic cellular subpopulations in fascia of gluteal muscle contracture using single-cell RNA sequencing. Journal of Translational Medicine.
Zgheib, C., Xu, J., & Liechty, K. (2014). Targeting inflammatory cytokines and extracellular matrix composition to promote wound regeneration. Advances in Wound Care.
Zugel, M., Maganaris, C., Wilke, J., et al. (2018). Fascial tissue research in sports medicine: From molecules to tissue adaptation, injury and diagnostics: Consensus statement. British Journal of Sports Medicine.
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Additional Research
Deep Oscillation® Research
Grounding Research
Lipedema Research
Lymphatic System Research
Massage Research
Microcurrent Research
Phototherapy Research
Reflexology Research
Reiki Research