The Effect of Lipedema on Knee Osteoarthritis

NCT07575555 | Not Yet Recruiting DMC

• 1 other identifier: 2026/26
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 76
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This study will be one of the few to examine the effect of lipedema on knee osteoarthritis in a comparative manner with a control group within the same osteoarthritis context. Although the relationship between obesity and osteoarthritis has been extensively studied in the literature, the effect of specific adipose tissue pathologies, such as lipedema, on osteoarthritis has not been sufficiently investigated. This study aims to demonstrate the independent effect of lipedema on osteoarthritis, evaluate clinical and ultrasonographic parameters together, and contribute to early diagnosis and targeted rehabilitation strategies.

Conditions

Lipedema; Knee Osteoarthritis; Knee Acute and Chronic Pain; Knee; Knee Arthritis Osteoarthritis; Knee Arthropathy; Knee Cartilage Defects; Knee Cartilage Lesions

Keywords

lipedema; knee osteoarthritis; knee joint; knee

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Ultrasonography-based measurements of femoral cartilage thickness

  During femoral cartilage thickness measurements, participants will be positioned in the supine position, and the knee will be brought to maximum flexion for evaluation through the suprapatellar window. The probe will be positioned in the transverse plane, and measurements will be taken at the level of the medial and lateral femoral condyles and the intercondylar groove. For standardization, each measurement will be repeated three times, and the average will be recorded. Cartilage thickness will be defined as the distance between the hypoechoic cartilage layer and the subchondral bone surface. Lower values indicate that osteoarthritis has caused more structural damage.

  Day 1

Secondary Outcomes (11)

• Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) score

  Day 1

• Visual analog scale

  Day 1

• Joint Range of Motion measurement

  Day 1

• Kellgren-Lawrence Classification

  Day 1

• Assessment of osteophytes via ultrasonography

  Day 1

Other Outcomes (1)

• Ultrasonography-based measurements of pre-tibial and thigh subcutaneous thickness

  Day 1

Study Arms (2)

Group 1

Knee osteoarthritis with lipedema

Group 2

Knee osteoarthritis without lipedema

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 30 Years - 65 Years
• Gender Eligibility Details: Females.
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

This study will include patients aged 30 and older who presented to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Outpatient Clinic at Buca Seyfi Demirsoy Training and Research Hospital, Izmir Democracy University, between July 15, 2026, and July 15, 2027, and who were diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis based on clinical and radiological evaluations. Previously obtained knee X-rays will be retrospectively reviewed, and patients with osteoarthritis findings on X-rays according to the Kellgren-Lawrence grading system will be included in the study. The diagnosis of lipedema will be made by an experienced physical therapy and rehabilitation specialist based on a combined evaluation of clinical and ultrasonographic findings. The clinical diagnosis will be based on the Wold criteria: bilateral and symmetrical fat distribution in the lower extremities, foot sparing, tenderness and pain on palpation, a history of easy bruising, and fat accumulation resistant to diet and exercise.

You may qualify if:

• All participants (Group 1 + Group 2)
• Women aged 30-65
• With a clinical and radiological diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis
• Who agreed to participate in the study
• Group 1 (knee osteoarthritis with lipedema):
• Patients who meet the Wold criteria for a clinical diagnosis of lipedema
• An increase in subcutaneous fat thickness confirmed by ultrasound
• Group 2 (knee osteoarthritis without lipedema):
• No diagnosis of lipedema

You may not qualify if:

• Inflammatory arthritis
• History of knee surgery
• Intra-articular injection within the past 6 months
• Acute trauma
• Systemic connective tissue disease
• Severe venous insufficiency or lymphedema
• History of malignancy
• Use of gabapentinoids/SNRIs/SSRIs due to fibromyalgia or psychiatric illness
• Severe cognitive impairment or communication problems that would prevent participation in the study
• Pregnancy
• Participants who were informed about the study and refused to participate

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Izmir Democracy University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Izmir Democracy University

Izmir, İzmir, 35570, Turkey (Türkiye)

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Lipedema; Osteoarthritis, Knee; Chronic Pain

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Connective Tissue Diseases; Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases; Osteoarthritis; Arthritis; Joint Diseases; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Rheumatic Diseases; Pain; Neurologic Manifestations; Signs and Symptoms; Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms

Central Study Contacts

Kadir Songür, Assoc. Prof.

CONTACT

+905054529231; kadir.93@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Target Duration: 1 Day
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Dr. Lecturer

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 3, 2026
• First Posted: May 8, 2026
• Study Start (Estimated): July 15, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 15, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 15, 2027
• Last Updated: May 8, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-05

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

TU (1)