Leslyn Keith, Catherine Seo, Monika M Wahi, Siobhan Huggins, Matthew Carmody, Gabriele Faerber, Isabel Forner-Cordero, Sandro Michelini, Stefan Rapprich, Stanley G Rockson
Background: Our aim is to propose a framework for the development of a research case definition of lipedema, based on current available literature and those observations that can be applied to future lipedema research with the intent to standardize and strengthen the scientific evidence base. Methods and Results: We conducted a narrative review of the literature, and identified consensus characteristics and disputed characteristics that could be included in a research case definition of lipedema. After considering the strength of the evidence and how each characteristic might be measured in a research study, we recommended an approach for the development of a research case definition of lipedema that would be based on consideration of five agreed-upon characteristics, and five disputed, or less substantiated, characteristics as additional evidence to enhance specificity...
March 28, 2024: Lymphatic Research and Biology