www.anarmandaleg.co.uk
The condition
Differential diagnosis between lipoedema and primary lymphoedema
Clinical features in 10 patients with lipoedema compared with the established features of primary lymphoedema.
Clinical features
Lipoedema
Lymphoedema
Gender
Female
Male and female
Age onset
60% at/about puberty
Any decade
Family history
Positive in 40%
Positive in 20%
Obesity
40% of patients
Variable
Distribution
Entire lower limb
Distal leg initially
Symmetry
Always bilateral
Often asymmetrical
Involvement of feet
Never
Usually
Skin consistency
Normal in all patients
Thicker and firmer
Pitting
Minimal to absent
Always pits
Easily bruising
Noticed by 40%
Noticed by 40%
Pain/discomfort
Significant in 30%
Infrequent
Tenderness
Present in 50%
Infrequent
Stemmers sign
Negative in 100%
Usually positive
Superficial varicosities
Present in 20%
Variable
Effect of elevation
No effect in 20%
Reduction - early stages
Effect of weight loss
No effect in 90%
Even loss legs/trunk