Setting the Research Agenda for Lipedema
Steps Towards a Cure
A Online Course for Physicians & Providers
Review Materials Listed Below
• Program Description
• Learning Objectives
• Faculty
• Target Audience
• Presentations
• Partners
• Supporters
• Disclosures
• System Requirements
• Contact Info
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Lipedema is an under-recognized condition characterized by the accumulation of subcutaneous fat in bilateral lower extremities, typically accompanied by tenderness, edema and bruising. Physicians frequently misdiagnose patients as being obese or having lymphedema, leading to improper treatment and progression of symptoms.
Eventually lipedema can progress to lipolymphedema, where the progressive fat accumulation leads to lymphatic insufficiency. Exercise and weight loss tend to worsen the relative body disproportion, as the fat is lost preferentially from the trunk rather than the legs resulting in patient frustration and poor compliance.
This course reviews the diagnostic criteria, work up and differential diagnosis for patients with lipedema. Surgical and non-surgical treatment options are discussed. The physiology and pathophysiology of fat metabolism, lipedema research opportunities and obstacles to patient care are reviewed.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After completion of this online course, the participant will demonstrate the ability to:
• Recognize clinical criteria for diagnosing lipedema.
• Differentiate between lipedema, lymphedema and general obesity, as these conditions are distinct but may co-exist.
• Understand the role of lymphoscintigraphy, magnetic resonance lymphangiography and indocyanine green fluorescent lymphangiography in differentiating lipedema
from lymphedema.
• Describe surgical and non-surgical lipedema treatments, including: liposuction, manual lymphatic decompression, bandaging and compression garments and compare the limitations of each treatment modality.
• Explain what is known about lipedema regarding etiology and disease progression.
• Describe the stages of lipedema, including progression to lipolymphedema.
• Assess the relationship of lipedema to venous, bariatric and orthopedic conditions including venous insufficiency, weight gain, and gait disturbances.
• Examine the current understanding of inflammatory, genetic, metabolic and endocrine influences on fat deposition; the knowledge gaps in relation to lipedema; obstacles to patient care; and the potential opportunities for further research.
FACULTY
COURSE DIRECTOR
Mark Smith, MD, FACS
Professor & System Vice-Chair, Department of Surgery
Northwell Health System
Director, Reconstructive Oncology
Northwell Health Cancer Institute
Director, Strategic Initiatives, Western Region,
Northwell Health Surgical Service Line
Director, Friedman Center for Lymphedema Research and Treatment
Co-Director, The Lipedema Project
Lake Success, NY
TARGET AUDIENCE
Primary Care Physicians, OB/GYNs, Vascular Surgeons, Bariatric Surgeons, Endocrinologists, Plastic Surgeons, Physical Therapists, Researchers, Geneticists, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Nurses, Lymphedema Therapists, Obesity Medicine Specialists, Medical Students, Residents, Interns, and other interested healthcare professionals involved in the care and management of patients with lipedema, lymphedema, or other fat disorders.
PRESENTATIONS
MODULE ONE: WHAT IS LIPEDEMA?
• Lipedema Overview, Mark Smith MD, FACS
• Lipedema: Fat Disorders & Diagnosis, Karen Herbst, MD, PhD
• Keynote: Lipedema – What We Know & What We Need to Know, Professor Etelka Földi, MD
MODULE TWO: PATIENT & PHYSICIAN EXPERIENCE
• Anti-Fat Bias, Kim Gudzune MD, MPH
• The Patient Experience, Tilly Smidt
• The Physician Advocate, Matthew Carmody, MD
MODULE THREE: CONSIDERATIONS & TREATMENT
• Clinical Considerations: Venous Insufficiency, Jennifer Svahn, MD, FACS
• Clinical Considerations: Bariatric & Weight Loss, William Inabnet, MD
• Treatment: Conservative (CDT), Guenter Klose, MLD/CDT
• Treatment: Surgical: Liposuction for Lipedema (LTA), Stefan Rapprich, MD
• Treatment: Surgical: Liposuction for Lipedema (WAL), Jens Diedrichson, MD
MODULE FOUR: RESEARCH
• Lymphatic System, Inflammation & Lipedema, Stanley Rockson, MD
• Research: Hormone/Endocrine/Lymphatics, Gwen Randolph, PhD
• Research: Fat Metabolism/Fat Deposition, Susan Fried, MD
• Research: Genetics, Ruth Loos, MD
PARTNERS
LE&RN (click for website)
This CME is presented in collaboration with the Lymphatic Education & Research Network “LE&RN”
LE&RN’s Mission is to fight lymphatic disease and lymphedema through education, research and advocacy.
SUPPORTERS
CAREstream AMERICA (click for website)
body-jet® ~ The gentle Water-jet Assisted Liposuction (WAL) lipedema treatment to improve your quality of life!
SunMED Medical (click for website)
SunMED Medical Solutions is a national accredited provider of all types and brands of compression products. They handle all aspects of insurance verification, billing and delivery, and offer discounted private pay pricing as well. SunMED is committed to both patients and therapists alike.
Lymphedema Treatment Act (click for website)
The Lymphedema Treatment Act (LTA) is a federal bill that aims to improve insurance coverage for the medically necessary, doctor-prescribed compression supplies that are the cornerstone of lymphedema and lipo-lymphedema (secondary lymphedema in advanced stage lipedema) treatment.
Solidea Medical
Solidea Medical offers a unique compression garment solution for those managing conditions with edema (swelling). Solidea Active Massage™ garments are designed to stimulate the superficial lymphatic system (similar to the principles of manual lymph drainage) and help move fluid the way the body intended. Effective and easy to wear.
BiaCare (click for website)
BiaCare, meaning to care about life, provides high quality compression garments customized to help produce positive outcomes, and improve the quality of life.
human med (click here for website)
Human med AG is an innovative medical technology company, headquartered in Germany. The worldwide leading manufacturer of Water-jet Assisted Liposuction (WAL) equipment used for lipedema liposuction surgery.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Hardware/Software Requirements
To access this online course, users will need:
- A computer with an Internet connection.
- Internet Explorer 7.x or higher, Firefox 4.x or higher, Safari 2.x or higher, or any other W3C standards compliant browser.
- Adobe Flash Player and/or an HTML5 capable browser may be required for video or audio playback. (Click here for the player.)
Troubleshooting
This program requires opening a new window for viewing. If the program does not open when you click to view, you will need to disable the popup blocker in your Internet browser.
COPYRIGHT
Copyright © 2015-2024 The Lipedema Project, a project of the Friedman Center for Lymphedema Research & Treatment. All rights reserved. No part of this educational activity may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher.
