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AzTrials

LipedemaNCT07603076

Assessment of Venous Insufficiency and Clinical Features in Lipedema

An observational study of Lipedema and Venous Insufficiency, run by Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

Recruiting

Looking for participants now. Contact the study team or a site below to ask about taking part.

Sites and contacts
Official record
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Trial summary

Lipedema is a chronic adipose tissue disorder characterized by disproportionate fat accumulation, pain, tenderness, edema, and functional impairment. Venous symptoms such as heaviness, swelling, and discomfort are frequently reported in individuals with lipedema; however, the relationship between venous Doppler… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 65 years, women only
Conditions the study is for
Lipedema, Venous Insufficiency, Venous Disease
What is being tested?
Venous Doppler Ultrasonography, Numeric Rating Scale and Lower Extremity Functional Scale
How many people
82 participants
Where
1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
Study dates
20 Jun 2026to 1 Aug 2026
Phase
Observational
Are there results?
Not yet: the study is under way

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 65 years
  • Women only
  • No healthy volunteers
  • Adult, Older adult

Study population: The study population will consist of adult female patients diagnosed with lipedema. Participants with lipedema will be recruited from the outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation clinic. All participants will undergo clinical assessment and lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasonography.

Who may be able to join

  • Female participants aged 18 years or older
  • Clinically diagnosed lipedema according to established diagnostic criteria
  • Ability to provide written informed consent
  • Ability to complete clinical assessments and questionnaires

Who cannot join

  • History of lower extremity venous surgery or sclerotherapy
  • Known peripheral arterial disease
  • Secondary lymphedema or other causes of lower extremity edema
  • Active infection, cellulitis, or inflammatory disease affecting the lower extremities
  • Pregnancy or postpartum period
  • Neurological, rheumatological, or musculoskeletal disorders significantly affecting lower extremity function
Show all 9Show fewer
  • Malignancy or severe systemic disease
  • Inability to undergo venous Doppler ultrasonography
  • Inability to understand or complete study assessments and questionnaires

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.

Feyza Yücel, Assoc. Prof. contact

(0216) 542 20 00 ext. +90

dr.fny28@gmail.com

Turkey (Türkiye)1 site, 1 recruiting
  • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Health Sciences University Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital

    Istanbul, Uskudar

    Feyza Yücel, Assoc.Prof.

    Şule Dayanç

    Recruiting

Other trials in Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Official title: Evaluation of Venous Insufficiency and Its Association With Clinical Features in Patients With Lipedema: A Cross-Sectional Study

Lipedema is a chronic adipose tissue disorder characterized by disproportionate fat accumulation, pain, tenderness, edema, and functional impairment. Venous symptoms such as heaviness, swelling, and discomfort are frequently reported in individuals with lipedema; however, the relationship between venous Doppler ultrasonography findings and lipedema-related clinical manifestations remains insufficiently investigated. This cross-sectional controlled study aims to evaluate venous insufficiency parameters in patients with lipedema using Doppler ultrasonography and to examine their associations with pain severity, lower extremity function, disease severity, and quality of life.

Read the detailed description

Lipedema is a chronic progressive disorder of subcutaneous adipose tissue that predominantly affects women and is characterized by symmetrical enlargement of the lower extremities, pain, tenderness, easy bruising, and functional limitation. Beyond adipose tissue abnormalities, vascular and microcirculatory alterations have increasingly been implicated in the pathophysiology of the disease. Many individuals with lipedema report symptoms suggestive of venous dysfunction, including leg heaviness, swelling, discomfort, and exercise intolerance. Nevertheless, the clinical significance of venous insufficiency in lipedema has not been fully clarified.This cross-sectional controlled observational study aims to investigate venous insufficiency findings in individuals with lipedema using venous Doppler ultrasonography and to explore their relationship with clinical symptoms and functional status. Venous reflux characteristics, venous diameters, and affected venous segments will be evaluated in the superficial and deep venous systems. These vascular findings will subsequently be analyzed in relation to lipedema severity, pain intensity, lower extremity function, anthropometric measurements, and patient-reported outcomes. By improving the understanding of venous involvement in lipedema, this study may contribute to more comprehensive diagnostic assessment and multidisciplinary management strategies for affected individuals. Patients with lipedema are expected to show more frequent venous insufficiency findings, which may be associated with increased symptom severity and functional limitation.

Being tested
Venous Doppler Ultrasonography, Numeric Rating Scale, Lower Extremity Functional Scale, Short Form-12, Lower Extremity Circumference at Standardized Anatomical Landmarks (cm)
Medical subject headings
Lipedema, Venous Insufficiency

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • Venous Doppler UltrasonographyDiagnostic test

    Participants will undergo lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasonography to evaluate venous insufficiency findings, including venous reflux characteristics, affected venous segments, and venous diameters in the superficial and deep venous systems.

  • Numeric Rating ScaleOther

    Also called NRS

    Pain intensity will be evaluated using the Numeric Rating Scale, ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain).

  • Lower Extremity Functional ScaleOther

    Also called LEFS

    Functional status will be assessed using the Lower Extremity Functional Scale. The total score ranges from 0 to 80, with higher scores indicating better lower extremity function and lower disability levels.

  • Short Form-12Other

    Also called SF-12

    Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the SF-12 questionnaire, including the Physical Component Summary (PCS-12) and Mental Component Summary (MCS-12) scores. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better perceived health status and quality of life.

  • Lower Extremity Circumference at Standardized Anatomical Landmarks (cm)Other

    Circumference of both lower extremities will be measured using a non-stretch tape measure at the ankle, calf, knee, and thigh according to standardized anatomical landmarks. Measurements will be recorded in centimeters.

  • Clinical StagingOther

    Lipedema stage will be determined according to clinical examination findings and established diagnostic criteria.

Study groups in NCT07603076
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
PatientPatients with lipedema
Receives: Diagnostic Test: Venous Doppler Ultrasonography; Other: Numeric Rating Scale; Other: Lower Extremity Functional Scale; Other: Short Form-12; Other: Lower Extremity Circumference at Standardized Anatomical Landmarks (cm); Other: Clinical Staging

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Presence of Venous Reflux on Doppler Ultrasonography

    Venous reflux will be assessed using lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasonography. The presence of pathological reflux in great saphenous vein will be recorded according to standard venous ultrasound criteria.

    Measured: Baseline

Secondary outcomes (6)
  1. Pain Severity (NRS)

    Pain intensity will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain severity.

    Measured: Baseline

  2. Lower Extremity Function (LEFS)

    Lower extremity function will be evaluated using the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS). Total scores range from 0 to 80, with higher scores indicating better functional status and lower disability levels.

    Measured: Baseline

  3. Health-Related Quality of Life (SF-12)

    Health-related quality of life will be assessed using the Short Form-12 (SF-12) questionnaire, including Physical Component Summary (PCS-12) and Mental Component Summary (MCS-12) scores. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating better quality of life and perceived health status.

    Measured: Baseline

  4. Lower Extremity Circumference Measurements

    Lower extremity circumferences will be measured at predefined anatomical landmarks to evaluate limb involvement and tissue distribution.

    Measured: Baseline

  5. Duration of Venous Reflux on Doppler Ultrasonography

    Reflux duration (milliseconds) in great saphenous vein will be recorded according to standard venous ultrasound criteria.

    Measured: Baseline

  6. Great Saphenous Vein Diameter Measured by Doppler Ultrasonography

    The diameter of the great saphenous vein will be measured in millimeters using lower extremity venous Doppler ultrasonography. Measurements will be recorded at predefined anatomical levels.

    Measured: Baseline

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted22 May 2026
  2. Study start20 Jun 2026
  3. Primary completion30 Jul 2026 (estimated)
  4. Study completion1 Aug 2026 (estimated)

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Observational
Observational model
Case only
Time perspective
Cross-sectional
Enrolment
82 participants (estimated)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT07603076
Sponsor's protocol ID
00000111
Status last verified
Jul 2026
First submitted
10 May 2026
Last updated
14 Jul 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
No: Individual participant data will not be made publicly available due to privacy and confidentiality considerations.

Publications

  • Poojari A, Dev K, Rabiee A. Lipedema: Insights into Morphology, Pathophysiology, and Challenges. Biomedicines. 2022 Nov 30;10(12):3081. doi: 10.3390/biomedicines10123081.

    PubMed 36551837
  • Herbst KL, Kahn LA, Iker E, Ehrlich C, Wright T, McHutchison L, Schwartz J, Sleigh M, Donahue PM, Lisson KH, Faris T, Miller J, Lontok E, Schwartz MS, Dean SM, Bartholomew JR, Armour P, Correa-Perez M, Pennings N, Wallace EL, Larson E. Standard of care for lipedema in the United States. Phlebology. 2021 Dec;36(10):779-796. doi: 10.1177/02683555211015887. Epub 2021 May 28.

    PubMed 34049453
  • Forner-Cordero I, Forner-Cordero A, Szolnoky G. Update in the management of lipedema. Int Angiol. 2021 Aug;40(4):345-357. doi: 10.23736/S0392-9590.21.04604-6. Epub 2021 Apr 19.

    PubMed 33870676
  • Khalid MU, Prasada S, Jennings C, Bartholomew JR, McCarthy M, Hornacek DA, Joseph D, Chen W, Schwarz G, Bhandari R, Elbadawi A, Cameron SJ. Venous thromboembolic outcomes in patients with lymphedema and lipedema: An analysis from the National Inpatient Sample. Vasc Med. 2024 Feb;29(1):42-47. doi: 10.1177/1358863X231219006.

    PubMed 38334096
  • Bindlish S, Ng J, Ghusn W, Fitch A, Bays HE. Obesity, thrombosis, venous disease, lymphatic disease, and lipedema: An obesity medicine association (OMA) clinical practice statement (CPS) 2023. Obes Pillars. 2023 Oct 19;8:100092. doi: 10.1016/j.obpill.2023.100092. eCollection 2023 Dec.

    PubMed 38125656
  • Aday AW, Donahue PM, Garza M, Crain VN, Patel NJ, Beasley JA, Herbst KL, Beckman JA, Taylor SL, Pridmore M, Chen SC, Donahue MJ, Crescenzi R. National survey of patient symptoms and therapies among 707 women with a lipedema phenotype in the United States. Vasc Med. 2024 Feb;29(1):36-41. doi: 10.1177/1358863X231202769. Epub 2023 Oct 16.

    PubMed 37844030
  • Soylu C, Kutuk B. Reliability and Validity of the Turkish Version of SF-12 Health Survey. Turk Psikiyatri Derg. 2022 Summer;33(2):108-117. doi: 10.5080/u25700. English, Turkish.

    PubMed 35730511
  • Kara-Cakici G, Can-Akman T, Uzun SU, Cetisli-Korkmaz N. Validity and reliability study of the Turkish version of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale in elderly adults. Braz J Phys Ther. 2025 May-Jun;29(3):101196. doi: 10.1016/j.bjpt.2025.101196. Epub 2025 Apr 2.

    PubMed 40179457

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

An observational study of Lipedema and Venous Insufficiency, run by Sultan Abdulhamid Han Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 9 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 14 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

Contact Feyza Yücel, Assoc. Prof. ((0216) 542 20 00 ext. +90, dr.fny28@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Presence of Venous Reflux on Doppler Ultrasonography (time frame: Baseline). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT07603076, which also lists 8 linked publications.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 14 Jul 2026.

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