Lipedema: an inherited condition

Am J Med Genet A. 2010 Apr;152A(4):970-6. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.a.33313.

Abstract

Lipedema is a condition characterized by swelling and enlargement of the lower limbs due to abnormal deposition of subcutaneous fat. Lipedema is an under-recognized condition, often misdiagnosed as lymphedema or dismissed as simple obesity. We present a series of pedigrees and propose that lipedema is a genetic condition with either X-linked dominant inheritance or more likely, autosomal dominant inheritance with sex limitation. Lipedema appears to be a condition almost exclusively affecting females, presumably estrogen-requiring as it usually manifests at puberty. Lipedema is an entity distinct from obesity, but may be wrongly diagnosed as primary obesity, due to clinical overlap. The phenotype suggests a condition distinct from obesity and associated with pain, tenderness, and easy bruising in affected areas.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Edema / genetics*
  • Edema / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inheritance Patterns / genetics*
  • Leg / pathology*
  • Lymphedema / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / pathology
  • Pedigree
  • Phenotype
  • Subcutaneous Fat / pathology*