Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41519859›Full record

ArticleNature communications2026

Lipedema World Alliance Delphi Consensus-Based Position Paper on the Definition and Management of Lipedema: Results from the 2023 Lipedema World Congress in Potsdam.

Philipp Kruppa, Rachelle Crescenzi, Gabriele Faerber, Isabel Forner-Cordero, Manuel Cornely, Ramin Shayan, Tara Karnezis, Jose Luis Simarro, Paula Frederichi de Souza, Karen Louise Herbst and 2 more

Abstract readConsensus Statement
In one paragraph

Article in Nature communications, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
8citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

8 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Article
  5. Vascular changes and their implications in lipedema.Frontiers in cell and developmental biology · 2026
    Review
  6. Article
  7. Review
  8. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Philipp KruppaDepartment of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Microsurgery/Hand surgery, Hospital Ernst von Bergmann, Potsdam, Germany. kruppaph@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1654-7257
Rachelle CrescenziDepartment of Radiology and Radiological Sciences, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1008-4570
Gabriele FaerberCentre for Vascular Medicine, Hamburg, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7448-6937
Isabel Forner-CorderoLymphedema Unit, Rehabilitation Department, Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2778-037X
Manuel CornelyLY. SEARCH gGmbH, Institute for Lymphological Basic Research, Düsseldorf, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3284-1659
Ramin ShayanLymphatic, Adipose and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Department of O'Brien Institute, St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8071-2419
Tara KarnezisLymphatic, Adipose and Regenerative Medicine Laboratory, Department of O'Brien Institute, St Vincent's Institute of Medical Research, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia.
Jose Luis SimarroThe Lipedema Institute, Madrid, Spain.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9851-7299
Paula Frederichi de SouzaClinic Paula Frederichi, Bela Vista, São Paulo, Brazil.
Karen Louise HerbstThe Roxbury Institute, Beverly Hills, CA and Tucson, AZ, USA.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9079-9754
Mojtaba GhodsDepartment of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Microsurgery/Hand surgery, Hospital Ernst von Bergmann, Potsdam, Germany.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0003-6901-3336
Sandro MicheliniVascular Diagnostics and Rehabilitation Service, San Giovanni Battista Hospital Rome and San Giuseppe Hospital Marino (Rome), ASL Roma 6, Roma, Italy.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0346-9528

Funding

Visualizing vascular mechanisms of lipedemaR01HL157378 · NHLBI · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · PI CRESCENZI, RACHELLE L · 2021 to 2025
$2.5M
NHLBI NIH HHS R01 HL157378
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Lipedema predominantly affects women and is characterized by an abnormal distribution of adipose tissue, accompanied by pain or discomfort in affected areas. Despite growing awareness, inconsistent diagnostic criteria and treatment approaches hinder medical care and research. This multi-phase Delphi study was conducted to address the need for internationally accepted consensus on fundamental aspects of the disease. Through online surveys and an in-person discussions, experts representing 19 countries evaluated on 62 original statements regarding (1) clarity, (2) agreement, (3) recommendation for inclusion, (4) strength of evidence, and (5) whether additional evidence was needed. Ultimately, 59 statements reached consensus across eight domains encompassing the definition and management of lipedema. The findings provide a framework to guide internationally applicable recommendations for patients with lipedema that may improve outcomes globally. Limited evidence in several areas highlights the importance of further research, standardization of data reporting, and international collaboration among healthcare providers, researchers, and patient advocates to address this women's health disparity effectively.

Indexed as

LipedemaDelphi TechniqueFemaleHumans

Identifiers

PMID41519859
PMCPMC12796449

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.