The Relationship Between Central Sensitization, Pain, and Psychosocial Factors in Individuals With Lipedema

Istanbul Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital60 enrolled

Overview

This cross-sectional study will include women aged 18-75 with clinically diagnosed lipedema and healthy controls. Sociodemographic and clinical data will be collected, and participants will complete the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Pain pressure thresholds (PPT) will be assessed using a digital algometer at the middle deltoid, lateral thigh, and medial knee, with three measurements taken at each site and the average recorded.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

Conditions

Lipedema

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 75 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Clinically diagnosed with lipedema * Aged between 18 and 75 years * Provided voluntary informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * History of systemic diseases such as diabetes, rheumatologic disorders, or malignancy * Presence of neurological disorders (e.g., polyneuropathy, multiple sclerosis, history of stroke) * Currently under active psychiatric treatment Pregnancy * History of lower extremity surgery or major trauma within the past 6 months * Received injection therapy or physical therapy for the lower extremities within the past 6 -months * History of infection or active dermatological disease affecting the lower extremities

Locations (1)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI)

The CSI assesses symptoms related to central sensitization, such as widespread pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance. Scores range from 0 to 100, with higher values indicating a greater degree of central sensitization.

Time frame: Baseline

Secondary Outcomes

Pain Intensity (Visual Analog Scale - VAS)

Pain intensity will be rated on a 10-cm scale ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores reflect greater perceived pain severity.

Time frame: Baseline

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - Anxiety Subscale (HADS-A):

The HADS-A assesses anxiety symptoms in non-psychiatric populations. Scores range from 0 to 21; higher scores indicate greater anxiety severity.

Time frame: Baseline

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale - Depression Subscale (HADS-D)

The HADS-D evaluates depressive symptoms, with scores ranging from 0 to 21. Higher scores indicate more severe depressive symptoms.

Time frame: Baseline

Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS):

he PCS measures negative cognitive and emotional responses to pain. Scores range from 0 to 52, with higher scores indicating greater pain catastrophizing.

Time frame: Baseline

Pain Pressure Threshold (PPT):

PPT will be measured using a digital algometer at the middle deltoid, lateral thigh, and medial knee. Lower values indicate greater pain sensitivity.

Time frame: Baseline