The Comparative Evaluation of Depression, Life Satisfaction, and Quality of Life Between Female Patients with Lipedema and Lymphedema

Introduction: Lymphedema and lipedema are chronic conditions significantly impacting psychosocial status and quality of life (QOL). However, comparative studies on depression, life satisfaction, functional status, and QoL in these conditions are lacking. This study aims to fill this gap by providing a comparative evaluation of functional status, depression, life satisfaction, and QoL in patients with lymphedema and lipedema. Method: Over 12 months, 73 female patients diagnosed with pure lymphedema or lipedema were recruited according to inclusion/exclusion criteria. A range of demographic variables, including age, body mass index (BMI), disease duration, stage of disease, and exercise/smoking conditions, were recorded. The lower-extremity functional scale (LEFS), life satisfaction index (LSI), patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Lymphedema QOL Questionnaire for Legs were used to assess functional status, life satisfaction, depression, and QoL, respectively, in both groups. The relationship between questionnaire scores and demographic variables was carefully evaluated. Results: Thirty-six individuals with lymphedema (mean age: 55.1 years) and 37 patients with lipedema (mean age: 50.7 years) were included in the study. Demographical variables were statistically similar between the groups (p > 0.05). Duration of disease was longer (mean: 159.3 months vs. 39.6 months) in a lipedema group than in lymphedema patients. PHQ-9 (mean:11.4 vs. 10.4) and overall QoL scores (mean: 5.06 vs. 5.47) were similar between groups, while LEFS (mean: 44 vs. 62) and LSI scores (mean: 11.5 vs. 14.3) were worse in patients with lymphedema than in a lipedema group. There were correlations between age and LEFS (p = 0.014, r = -0.40) and LSI (p = 0.013, r = -0.41) in the lymphedema group; and between BMI and LEFS (p = 0.013, r = -0.041) and QoL (p = 0.034, r = 0.37) scores; and duration of disease and PHQ-9 scores (p = 0.028, r = -0.41) in the lipedema group. Conclusions: Patients with lipedema have similar depression and impaired QoL as lymphedema patients. However, lymphedema patients experience more functional disability and less life satisfaction. As the BMI and duration of illness are correlated with depression and QoL, early diagnosis and early management are essential to improve disability and QoL in patients suffering from lipedema.