Development of objective and standardized diagnostic criteria for lipedema

Facts

Collaborative partners: The project is a multidisciplinary collaboration between the School of Health and Welfare at Jönköping University, Region Jönköpings län, AMRA Medical AB, Linköping University, and Region Östergötland.

Project Duration: 2025-2029

Principal Investigator Associate Professor Anna Bjällmark

Co-researchers at JU:

PhD Johanna Falck
Professor Jan Mårtensson

Professor Anita Hurtig Wennlöf
PhD Ida Åström Malm
Filippa Fredlund Blixt
PhD Andrea Tompa
PhD Bengt-Åke Andersson
PhD Vladimir Basic
PhD Sandra Karlsson

External co-researchers:

Associate Professor Johan Kihlberg
Professor Tomas Bjerner
Associate Professor Björn Alkner
PhD Marie Byenfeldt
Professor Peter Lundberg
PhD Olof Dahlqvist Leinhard
Per Widholm

Financier: Forskningsrådet i sydöstra Sverige (FORSS)

Currently, there is a lack of scientific evidence and internationally accepted criteria for diagnosing lipedema, and the Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services (SBU) identifies improved diagnostics as the most important research question for this patient group.

Rationale for the study

The overall aim of the project is to develop objective, standardized diagnostic criteria for lipedema.

Materials and Methods

The project uses a multimodal approach, combining imaging diagnostics with laboratory-based methods. Data collection includes magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound imaging, physical activity and capacity assessments, blood samples, and biopsies. By integrating various techniques to identify and distinguish lipedema from differential diagnoses such as lymphedema, obesity, and Dercum’s disease, the goal is to enable reliable and early diagnosis.