José van Esch-Smeenge, Robert J Damstra, Ad A Hendrickx. Journal of Lymphoedema, 2017, Vol 12, No 1

Main findings

• This study compared muscle strength and exercise capacity in patients with lipoedema and obesity, to determine an objective and discriminant diagnostic criteria that helps distinguish between lipoedema and obesity.
• The study also considered the difference in muscle strength between women with lipoedema and women with obesity. Also the difference in functional exercise capacity between women with lipoedema and women with obesity.
• It was a pilot study with a small sample size of 44 participants, 22 in each group.
• Muscle strength of quadriceps was measured, exercise capacity was measured with a 6 minute walk test
• The lipoedema group scored much lower for quadriceps strength compared with the obesity group
• There was no statistical difference between the two groups for the 6 minute walk test.
• A limitation of the study is that pain may have affected the results.
• It is still unknown if the decrease in muscle power is part of the condition or due to decrease in activity levels.
• Further research is required to assess strength and ADL in lipoedema but it appears reasonable to include a strengthening program for this group of individuals.