Kadınlarda Lipedema Farkındalığının Değerlendirilmesi: Kesitsel Bir Çalışma

Background: Lipedema is a chronic condition characterized by symmetrical adipose tissue accumulation, pain, and tenderness, predominantly affecting women, and is frequently misdiagnosed as obesity or lymphedema. One of the main contributors to delayed diagnosis is insufficient patient awareness of the disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the level of lipedema awareness among female patients and to examine whether awareness differs across age groups.Methods: A total of 120 female participants were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants were divided into two groups according to age: 18–45 years (n = 60) and ≥46 years (n = 60). Lipedema awareness was assessed using a structured questionnaire comprising subdomains of general knowledge, clinical features, and knowledge regarding diagnosis and treatment. Total and subscale scores were compared between age groups.Results: The mean age of the participants was 46.32 ± 12.47 years. The total awareness score was 6.30 ± 2.00 in the 18–45 age group and 4.90 ± 1.90 in the ≥46 age group (p < 0.001). The younger age group demonstrated significantly higher scores in general knowledge (2.40 ± 1.10 vs. 1.80 ± 1.05; p = 0.002), clinical features (2.05 ± 1.05 vs. 1.70 ± 1.00; p = 0.004), and knowledge of diagnosis and treatment (1.85 ± 0.95 vs. 1.40 ± 0.90; p = 0.001). The proportion of participants with an adequate level of awareness (≥9 points) was 21.67% in the 18–45 age group and 6.67% in the ≥46 age group (p = 0.018).Conclusion: Overall, the level of lipedema awareness among women is low. Although awareness appears to be associated with age and knowledge deficits are more pronounced in older women, the fundamental issue is a widespread lack of awareness that affects women across all age groups.