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Translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of a lipedema symptoms questionnaire

Abstract

Background

Lipedema is characterized as abnormal bilateral deposition of fat in the buttocks and legs that may be accompanied by orthostatic edema in women. A questionnaire for assessment of lipedema symptoms has previously been published in German and English to assess treatment progress.

Objectives

To translate, culturally adapt, and validate the lipedema symptoms assessment questionnaire for Brazilian Portuguese.

Methods

The process involved three translations and two back-translations performed by independent translators, followed by construction of a consensus version and adaptation according patients’ comprehension. The questionnaire was converted into a digital version and administered to 56 volunteers and then administered to 154 patients from a vascular clinic and correlated with volume determined by segmental bioimpedance.

Results

The 20 pre-test patients were female and at least 90% of the interviewees were able to understand the questions in the final phase. Volunteers had a 96.4% rate of comprehension of the digital online version and a mean completion time of 4 minutes. In 154 patients, limb volume was positively correlated with intensity of symptoms, as assessed by the translated questionnaire, and 3 out of 15 questions were weakly correlated with educational level.

Conclusions

The translated and culturally adapted Brazilian Portuguese version of the lipedema symptoms assessment questionnaire (QuASiL) is a practical tool that is easy and quick to administer and can be used in our population. Additional studies are still needed to assess the instrument’s sensitivity as an aid for diagnosis of lipedema.

Keywords:
questionnaires; translation; cross-cultural comparison; lipedema; obesity; lymphedema

Resumo

Contexto

O lipedema é caracterizado como uma deposição anormal de gordura em glúteos e pernas bilateralmente, que pode ser acompanhada por edema ortostático em mulheres. Foi publicado questionário de avaliação sintomática em lipedema em alemão e inglês para avaliação de evolução de tratamento.

Objetivos

Tradução, adaptação cultural e validação do questionário de avaliação sintomática de lipedema para português brasileiro.

Métodos

O processo consistiu em três traduções e duas retrotraduções realizadas por tradutores independentes, seguida da elaboração de versão consensual e adaptação conforme compreensão das pacientes. O questionário foi convertido em versão digital, aplicado em 56 voluntárias e em 154 pacientes de consultório vascular e correlacionado com volumetria por bioimpedância segmentar.

Resultados

As 20 pacientes do pré-teste eram do sexo feminino e as questões foram compreendidas por pelo menos 90% das entrevistadas na fase final. Voluntárias mostraram compreensão de 96,4%, com tempo médio de resposta de 4 minutos. Em 154 pacientes, o volume dos membros mostrou correlação positiva com a intensidade dos sintomas avaliada pelo questionário traduzido e correlação fraca e moderada em apenas 3 perguntas, num total de 15 com nível de escolaridade.

Conclusões

A versão traduzida e adaptada culturalmente para o português do Brasil do questionário de avaliação sintomática do lipedema (QuASiL) é um instrumento prático, de fácil e rápida aplicação, que pode ser utilizado em nossa população. Ainda são necessários estudos adicionais para avaliar a sensibilidade do instrumento para o auxílio no diagnóstico do lipedema.

Palavras-chave:
questionários; tradução; comparação transcultural; lipedema; obesidade; linfedema

INTRODUCTION

Lipedema was described for the first time in 1940 by doctors Edgar Van Nuys Allen and Edgar Alphonso Hines Jr., at the Mayo Clinic, who characterized it as abnormal bilateral deposition of fat in the gluteus and legs, which may be accompanied by orthostatic edema11 Allen EV, Hines EA, Hines EA. Lipedema of the legs: a syndrome characterized by fat legs and orthostatic edema. Proc Staff Meet Mayo Clin. 1940;15:184-7.,22 Wold LE, Hines EA Jr, Allen EV. Lipedema of the legs: a syndrome characterized by fat legs and edema. Ann Intern Med. 1951;34(5):1243-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-34-5-1243. PMid:14830102.
http://dx.doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-34-5...
in women. Even today, the pathophysiology and epidemiology of lipedema are poorly understood, but it has been suggested that it has a genetic element and is influenced by hormones in cycles of inflammatory symptoms.33 Amato ACM. Is lipedema a unique entity? EC Clin Med Cases Reports. 2020;2:1-7. Although it is a distinct entity, these factors lead to it often being confused with more frequently diagnosed diseases, such as obesity and lymphedema.44 Fife CE, Maus EA, Carter MJ. Lipedema: a frequently misdiagnosed and misunderstood fatty deposition syndrome. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2010;23(2):81-92, quiz 93-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.ASW.0000363503.92360.91. PMid:20087075.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.ASW.0000363...
,55 Beninson J, Edelglass JW. Lipedema - the non-lymphatic masquerader. Angiology. 1984;35(8):506-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/000331978403500806. PMid:6476475.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/00033197840350...
Diagnosis is clinical and is typically defined by the symmetrical disproportion of fat build-up in the lower limbs with complaints of orthostatic edema,44 Fife CE, Maus EA, Carter MJ. Lipedema: a frequently misdiagnosed and misunderstood fatty deposition syndrome. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2010;23(2):81-92, quiz 93-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.ASW.0000363503.92360.91. PMid:20087075.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.ASW.0000363...
which is frequently accompanied by feelings of heaviness, tiredness, tension, or hard to define pain, which may be constant or provoked by touching the most painful areas and has variable intensity and does not radiate. The feet are spared from the increase in size, except in the advanced stage of lipolymphedema, in which edema of the feet occurs secondary to lymphatic insufficiency, which is not present in earlier stages.66 Reich-Schupke S, Altmeyer P, Stücker M. Thick legs - not always lipedema. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2013;11(3):225-33. PMid:23231593.,77 Forner-Cordero I, Szolnoky G, Forner-Cordero A, Kemény L. Lipedema: an overview of its clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of the disproportional fatty deposition syndrome - systematic review. Clin Obes. 2012;2(3-4):86-95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-8111.2012.00045.x. PMid:25586162.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-8111.20...
This foot-sparing edema is an important sign for differentiating lipedema from common obesity. The upper body (trunk) is also spared until the most advanced disease stages, although there are some atypical lipedema subtypes in which the expected pattern of lower limb fat build-up can vary.88 Okhovat J-P, Alavi A. Lipedema: a review of the literature. Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2015;14(3):262-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1534734614554284. PMid:25326446.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/15347346145542...
,99 Goodliffe JM, Ormerod JOM, Beale A, Ramcharitar S. An under-diagnosed cause of leg swelling. BMJ Case Rep. 2013;2013:bcr2013009538. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2013-009538. PMid:23709549.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2013-00953...
The areas affected by lipedema often suffer hematoma, pain, and increased sensitivity, which are accompanied by systemic complaints of exhaustion and reduced physical fitness and muscle strength. Onset of symptoms is frequently during puberty or young adulthood, although in some patients it may begin later.44 Fife CE, Maus EA, Carter MJ. Lipedema: a frequently misdiagnosed and misunderstood fatty deposition syndrome. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2010;23(2):81-92, quiz 93-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.ASW.0000363503.92360.91. PMid:20087075.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.ASW.0000363...
Conservative estimates of the prevalence of lipedema in the general population vary from 0.06 to 10%.44 Fife CE, Maus EA, Carter MJ. Lipedema: a frequently misdiagnosed and misunderstood fatty deposition syndrome. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2010;23(2):81-92, quiz 93-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.ASW.0000363503.92360.91. PMid:20087075.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.ASW.0000363...

A questionnaire specifically for lipedema (with no title) was developed in Germany for preoperative and postoperative assessment of lipedema symptoms and published by Rapprich et al. in both German1010 Rapprich S, Dingler A, Podda M. Liposuktion ist eine wirksame Therapie beim Lipödem - Ergebnisse einer Untersuchung mit 25 Patientinnen. JDDG - J Ger Soc Dermatology. 2011;9:33-41. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1610-0387.2010.07504_suppl.x.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1610-0387.2010...
and English.1111 Rapprich S, Dingler A, Podda M. Liposuction is an effective treatment for lipedema-results of a study with 25 patients. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2011;9(1):33-40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1610-0387.2010.07504.x. PMid:21166777.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1610-0387.20...
The questionnaire was based on a quality of life questionnaire for patients with lymphatic diseases1212 Augustin M, Bross F, Földi E, Vanscheidt W, Zschocke I. Development, validation and clinical use of the FLQA-I, a disease-specific quality of life questionnaire for patients with lymphedema. Vasa. 2005;34(1):31-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1024/0301-1526.34.1.31. PMid:15786935.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1024/0301-1526.34.1...
and adapted to include fifteen self-assessed criteria rated on an analog scale from 0 to 10. The questionnaire is based on quality of life assessment. It can be considered a lipedema symptoms scale and has not been validated for use as a diagnostic criterion.

The original questionnaire is interpreted using the intensity of symptoms rated on a visual analog scale and has a total score ranging from 0 to 150, where 0 represents no symptomatic complaints and 150 indicates all symptoms with the highest impact on quality of life. The rarity of objective instruments available for assessment of lipedema in Brazil and worldwide and the fact that quality of life data are important for selection and interpretation of clinical course justify conducting this study with the objective of translating the questionnaire into Portuguese, culturally adapting it for the Brazilian population, and validating it in clinical practice.

METHOD

This study followed the guidelines set out in National Health Council resolution 466/12 on research involving human beings. It also complies with the Helsinki Declaration and was approved by the Plataforma Brasil Research Ethics Committee, under protocol number 09590919.6.0000.0081.

Translation and cultural adaptation method

The process of achieving linguistic equivalence began by contacting the original author to define concepts and obtain authorization for use. Translation and cultural adaptation of the instrument were conducted according to existing guidelines,1313 Beaton DE, Bombardier C, Guillemin F, Ferraz MB. Guidelines for the process of cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures. Spine. 2000;25(24):3186-91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00007632-200012150-00014. PMid:11124735.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00007632-20001...
,1414 Guillemin F, Bombardier C, Beaton D. Cross-cultural adaptation of health-related quality of life measures: Literature review and proposed guidelines. J Clin Epidemiol. 1993;46(12):1417-32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0895-4356(93)90142-N. PMid:8263569.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0895-4356(93)9...
and consisted of translation, back-translation, review by an expert panel, and cultural adaptation (Figure 1).

Figure 1
Flow diagram illustrating translation, adaptation, and validation.

The items from the English version of the original questionnaire were initially translated by an independent Brazilian healthcare professional with extensive knowledge of the English language who was aware of the research objectives. The questionnaire in German was translated separately by two translators with extensive knowledge of German, who were also aware of the research objectives. Two translations of the original German version were prepared because the original author is German. Emphasis was put on the importance of performing a conceptual translation rather than a literal translation. This stage resulted in translations 1 to 3 in Brazilian Portuguese. Translations 1 to 3 were then evaluated and synthesized to produced a single consensus version by two physicians who were aware of the research objectives and are experts in lipedema. The consensus version was translated into German by two independent, native, professors of German who had not taken part in the previous stage and were not aware of the objectives nor of the concepts dealt with in the questionnaire. Next, the original instrument was compared with the two new versions in German. An expert panel made up of two physicians documented and analyzed discrepancies. Some verb tenses and sentences in Portuguese were rewritten until a consensus was achieved, resulting in version 4 in Portuguese.

Portuguese version 4 of the questionnaire was administered to a group of 10 people to assess their level of comprehension of the questions, and items that were poorly understood were identified. The expert panel then evaluated these items and adapted them to transmit the same concepts, but in a manner that was easier to understand, even using suggestions made by the respondents themselves and attempting not to change the structure or the assessment properties of these items, thereby arriving at version 5 of the questionnaire. This version 5 (Table 1) was administered to a different group of 10 people, selected at random at the same clinic, and its cultural equivalence was tested again until all items were comprehensible to 90% of interviewees.

Table 1
Final Brazilian Portuguese Version of the Lipedema Symptoms Assessment Questionnaire.

Version 5 of the questionnaire was converted into an on-line digital version using secure and appropriate software for development and analysis of questionnaires (SurveyMonkey, San Mateo, California) and was then administered to 56 volunteers who may or may not have been diagnosed with lipedema.

Administration of questionnaires

Questionnaires were administered individually, from June to September of 2019, after patients had been approached before medical consultations and the objectives and content of the questionnaire had been explained to them. When a person met the inclusion criteria for the study and had time to answer the questionnaires immediately, they were invited to take part and requested to provide consent.

The sampling technique was non-probabilistic, by convenience, and participants were recruited at a Lymphedema and Angiodysplasia Clinic. Patients then had their histories taken and physical examinations, unrelated to the study, and underwent a bioimpedance test, followed by application of inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Participants were women, over the age of 18 years, seen for any complaint whatsoever. Males were excluded and so were people who did not sign the consent form, who had severe arterial or venous conditions, or who were unable to speak or understand Portuguese.

During the on-line phase of questionnaire validation, volunteers from a group specifically of lipedema patients agreed to answer the digital version of the questionnaire, in March 2020, without external help and filling in all details at will.

The primary objective of this study was translation and cultural adaptation of the questionnaire. A secondary objective was to evaluate correlations between the symptoms score and indirect segmental bioimpedance variables.

Bioimpedance

Segmental body composition analysis was conducted using a multispectrum bioimpedance digital balance that measures the body’s resistance and reactance (Tanita, BC-601, Illinois, United States). The measurements obtained from the bioimpedance scale [height, weight, body mass index (BMI)] were automatically copied to a dedicated chart and other variables were input using software developed especially for this task, which was used to calculate the volumes of the right lower limb (RLL) and left lower limb (LLL), individually, assuming a fat density of 0.9196 g/mL and a muscle density of 1.06 g/mL.1515 Urbanchek MG, Picken EB, Kalliainen LK, Kuzon WM Jr. Specific force deficit in skeletal muscles of old rats is partially explained by the existence of denervated muscle fibers. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2001;56(5):B191-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/gerona/56.5.B191. PMid:11320099.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/gerona/56.5.B1...

16 Farvid MS, Ng TWK, Chan DC, Barrett PH, Watts GF. Association of adiponectin and resistin with adipose tissue compartments, insulin resistance and dyslipidaemia. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2005;7(4):406-13. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1463-1326.2004.00410.x. PMid:15955127.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1463-1326.20...
-1717 Cavezzi A, Schingale F, Elio C. Limb volume measurement: From the past methods to optoelectronic technologies, bioimpedance analysis and laser-based devices. Int Angiol. 2010;29(5):392-4. PMid:20924339.

Statistical analysis

The statistical analysis was performed after the consistency of data was checked manually. The statistical method chosen was descriptive frequencies. Correlations between variables on the questionnaire were assessed using Spearman correlation coefficients and the Shapiro-Wilk test. Relationships between limb volume and intensity of symptoms on the questionnaire were assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients. Statistical analyses were performed using Student’s t test, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test of uniformity, and the Mann-Whitney test. For the correlations, we adopted a statistical significance level of 0.05%. The software used for data analysis was Excel (Microsoft, Redmond, Washington, EUA) and Wizard 1.9.40 (Evan Miller, Chicago, IL, EUA).

RESULTS

Twenty people took part in the cultural adaptation assessment. None of the questions were considered non-applicable. The questions were understood by at least 90% of the interviewees and were modified and re-administered until all items achieved a comprehension level exceeding 90%. The final version (number 5), administered on-line to the volunteer population (Table 2) achieved overall comprehension of 96.4% in the study population, with a mean completion time of 4 minutes. There was a moderate negative correlation between the item “Do your legs feel heavy?” and educational level (Spearman ρ -0.316, p = 0.018), a weak negative correlation between the item “Do your legs feel tired?” and educational level (Spearman ρ -0.292, p = 0.029) and a moderate negative correlation between the item “Are you satisfied with the appearance of your legs?” and educational level (Spearman ρ -0.309, p = 0.02). The total score was not normally or uniformly distributed (Shapiro-Wilk z = 2.688, p = 0.004; Kolmogorov-Smirnov D = 0.35, p < 0.001) and was not correlated with weight, BMI, or even educational level, but did have a weak negative correlation with age (Pearson r = -0.280, p = 0.037). A colored scale was added to the questionnaire to make it easier to understand the intensity rating scale.

Table 2
Characteristics of the study population used for on-line validation of version 5.

The sample comprised 154 patients who were approached at a Lymphedema and Angiodysplasia Clinic (Table 3), regardless of their diagnosis, underwent bioimpedance with segmental body composition analysis, and answered a lipedema symptoms assessment questionnaire.

Table 3
Characteristics of the study population used for practical validation.

The mean and median volumes of left and right limbs were similar (test t, p = 0.627; Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.543) and neither variable was uniformly distributed when analyzed individually with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (p < 0.001) (Figure 2).

Figure 2
Distribution of lower limb volumes (mL) and estimated means.

The RLL volume had a weak positive correlation with the intensity of symptoms assessed by the translated questionnaire (Pearson correlation coefficient r = 0.186, p = 0.034) and LLL volume also had a weak positive correlation with intensity of symptoms (Pearson correlation coefficient r = 0.183, p = 0.037) (Figure 3).

Figure 3
Intensity of symptoms according to assessment questionnaire (total scores) plotted against volumes (mL) of right lower limb (RLL) and left lower limb (LLL).

DISCUSSION

There is a great deal of confusion surrounding lipedema and considerable underdiagnosis because of the lack of a definitive and simple laboratory test or genetic test, combined with a lack of familiarity among physicians with the diagnostic criteria for lipedema.1818 Dayan E, Kim JN, Smith ML, et al. Lipedema - the disease they call FAT: an overview for clinicians. USA: Lipedema Simplified Publications; 2017. Lipedema is masked by other conditions and comorbidities, such as lymphedema, physiological disproportionate body shape, lipohypertrophy, and gynecoid obesity, which can contribute to this confusion and lead to wrong diagnosis or underdiagnosis.1919 Child AH, Gordon KD, Sharpe P, et al. Lipedema: an inherited condition. Am J Med Genet A. 2010;152A(4):970-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.a.33313. PMid:20358611.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.a.33313...
Wrong diagnosis of patients with lipedema is of concern, because it delays treatment of the disease, allowing it to develop.1818 Dayan E, Kim JN, Smith ML, et al. Lipedema - the disease they call FAT: an overview for clinicians. USA: Lipedema Simplified Publications; 2017. Up to 50% of patients with lipedema are also overweight or obese and the combination of comorbidities makes diagnosis difficult, but does not prevent it, since there are important differences between care for patients with common obesity and those with lipedema.1919 Child AH, Gordon KD, Sharpe P, et al. Lipedema: an inherited condition. Am J Med Genet A. 2010;152A(4):970-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.a.33313. PMid:20358611.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ajmg.a.33313...

The inflammatory symptoms of lipedema determine patients’ quality of life,2020 Neves AAG, Oliveira AGNM, Beck RT, Santos RV, Moreira FCP, Amato ACM. Endovascular treatment of thoracic aortic pseudoaneurysm with aortobronchial fistula in the late postoperative period of surgical correction of the aortic coarctation. J Vasc Bras. 2011;10(1):64-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1677-54492011000100012.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1677-54492011...
and patients may have periods of improvement along their lives. Currently, there is no way of monitoring symptomatic development, improvement, or deterioration of lipedema using laboratory tests or imaging exams. Therefore, this questionnaire constitutes a useful tool for assessing the degree of symptomatic compromise the patient is experiencing and for monitoring later development, by comparing patients with themselves.

Measuring the influence that lipedema has on quality of life is still a difficult task because symptoms and complaints are subjective and are confused with other diseases that are very common in the vascular clinic, such as chronic venous insufficiency, obesity, and lymphedema. Although the subject has received greater attention over recent years and there are already several generic and specific instruments for quality of life assessment, the majority of these instruments only assess the differential diagnoses, such as venous insufficiency, obesity, and lymphedema. It is therefore important to develop and validate instruments that can be used to evaluate the impact of lipedema on quality of life and, if possible, aid in arriving at a definitive diagnosis.

After the process of translation, review, and back-translation of the questionnaire, followed by administration to a different population, the final version proved to be highly comprehensible for the study population (96.4%), with weak or moderate correlations with educational level for just 3 items. A correlation does not indicate causality.2121 Akoglu H. User’s guide to correlation coefficients. Turk J Emerg Med. 2018;18(3):91-3. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tjem.2018.08.001. PMid:30191186.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tjem.2018.08...
We should point out that the scale for the item “Are you satisfied with the appearance of your legs?” has an inverse scale, to facilitate both comprehension and standardization of the questionnaire. Therefore, those with a lower educational level were more unsatisfied with the appearance of their legs. There were no words that the sample could not understand. The inverse correlation between total symptom score and age may imply that symptoms improve or simply that patients’ acceptance of them increases.

The segmental bioimpedance method employed is easy to use and has high reproducibility, although factors such as the subject’s position, the position of the handles, the ambient temperature, hydration level, and physical activity can affect the measurements.2222 Deurenberg P, Van Der Kooij K, Evers P, Hulshof T. Assessment of body composition by bioelectrical impedance in a population aged greater than 60 y. Am J Clin Nutr. 1990;51(1):3-6. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/51.1.3. PMid:2296928.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/51.1.3...
Although this study detected a correlation between intensity of symptoms, as assessed by the translated questionnaire, and the volume of lower limbs, which could suggest inter-individual applications, this tool was developed for intra-individual comparison of symptoms to detect improvement or deterioration.

CONCLUSIONS

The version of the visual analog lipedema symptoms questionnaire translated to, and culturally adapted for, Brazilian Portuguese is a practical instrument that is quick and easy to administer and can be used with our population for quantification of subjective data on lipedema. Further studies are needed to assess the instrument’s sensitivity as an aid to diagnosis of lipedema and its correlations with other aspects of lipedema.

  • How to cite: Amato ACM, Amato FCM, Benitti DA, Santos RV. Translation, cultural adaptation, and validation of a lipedema symptoms questionnaire. J Vasc Bras. 2020;19:e20200049. https://doi.org/10.1590/1677-5449.200049
  • Financial support: None.
  • The study was carried out at Disciplina de Cirurgia Vascular, Universidade de Santo Amaro (UNISA), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.

REFERÊNCIAS

  • 1
    Allen EV, Hines EA, Hines EA. Lipedema of the legs: a syndrome characterized by fat legs and orthostatic edema. Proc Staff Meet Mayo Clin. 1940;15:184-7.
  • 2
    Wold LE, Hines EA Jr, Allen EV. Lipedema of the legs: a syndrome characterized by fat legs and edema. Ann Intern Med. 1951;34(5):1243-50. http://dx.doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-34-5-1243 PMid:14830102.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-34-5-1243
  • 3
    Amato ACM. Is lipedema a unique entity? EC Clin Med Cases Reports. 2020;2:1-7.
  • 4
    Fife CE, Maus EA, Carter MJ. Lipedema: a frequently misdiagnosed and misunderstood fatty deposition syndrome. Adv Skin Wound Care. 2010;23(2):81-92, quiz 93-4. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.ASW.0000363503.92360.91 PMid:20087075.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.ASW.0000363503.92360.91
  • 5
    Beninson J, Edelglass JW. Lipedema - the non-lymphatic masquerader. Angiology. 1984;35(8):506-10. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/000331978403500806 PMid:6476475.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/000331978403500806
  • 6
    Reich-Schupke S, Altmeyer P, Stücker M. Thick legs - not always lipedema. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2013;11(3):225-33. PMid:23231593.
  • 7
    Forner-Cordero I, Szolnoky G, Forner-Cordero A, Kemény L. Lipedema: an overview of its clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of the disproportional fatty deposition syndrome - systematic review. Clin Obes. 2012;2(3-4):86-95. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-8111.2012.00045.x PMid:25586162.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-8111.2012.00045.x
  • 8
    Okhovat J-P, Alavi A. Lipedema: a review of the literature. Int J Low Extrem Wounds. 2015;14(3):262-7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1534734614554284 PMid:25326446.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1534734614554284
  • 9
    Goodliffe JM, Ormerod JOM, Beale A, Ramcharitar S. An under-diagnosed cause of leg swelling. BMJ Case Rep. 2013;2013:bcr2013009538. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2013-009538 PMid:23709549.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2013-009538
  • 10
    Rapprich S, Dingler A, Podda M. Liposuktion ist eine wirksame Therapie beim Lipödem - Ergebnisse einer Untersuchung mit 25 Patientinnen. JDDG - J Ger Soc Dermatology. 2011;9:33-41. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1610-0387.2010.07504_suppl.x
    » https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1610-0387.2010.07504_suppl.x
  • 11
    Rapprich S, Dingler A, Podda M. Liposuction is an effective treatment for lipedema-results of a study with 25 patients. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2011;9(1):33-40. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1610-0387.2010.07504.x PMid:21166777.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1610-0387.2010.07504.x
  • 12
    Augustin M, Bross F, Földi E, Vanscheidt W, Zschocke I. Development, validation and clinical use of the FLQA-I, a disease-specific quality of life questionnaire for patients with lymphedema. Vasa. 2005;34(1):31-5. http://dx.doi.org/10.1024/0301-1526.34.1.31 PMid:15786935.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1024/0301-1526.34.1.31
  • 13
    Beaton DE, Bombardier C, Guillemin F, Ferraz MB. Guidelines for the process of cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures. Spine. 2000;25(24):3186-91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00007632-200012150-00014 PMid:11124735.
    » http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/00007632-200012150-00014
  • 14
    Guillemin F, Bombardier C, Beaton D. Cross-cultural adaptation of health-related quality of life measures: Literature review and proposed guidelines. J Clin Epidemiol. 1993;46(12):1417-32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0895-4356(93)90142-N PMid:8263569.
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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    31 Aug 2020
  • Date of issue
    2020

History

  • Received
    16 Apr 2020
  • Accepted
    19 May 2020
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