Effect of a low-carbohydrate diet on pain and quality of life in female patients with lipedema: a randomized controlled trial.

Patrik Hansson, Siren Nymo, Catia Martins, Julianne Lundanes, Frida Sandnes, Kari Hanne Gjeilo, Sissel Salater

Journal: Obesity (Silver Spring, Md.) 2024;32(6):1071-1082

PMID: 38627016

Abstract

OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) compared with a control diet on pain in female patients with lipedema. The secondary objectives were to compare the impact of the two diets on quality of life (QoL) and investigate potential associations of changes in pain with changes in body weight, body composition, and ketosis.

METHODS

Adult female patients with lipedema and obesity were randomized to either the LCD or control diet (energy prescription: 1200 kcal/day) for 8 weeks. Body weight and body composition, pain (Brief Pain Inventory measured pain), and QoL (RAND 36-Item Health Survey [RAND-36], Impact of Weight on Quality of Life [IWQOL]-Lite, and Lymphoedema Quality of Life [LYMQOL]) were measured at baseline and at postintervention.

RESULTS

A total of 70 female patients (age, mean [SD], 47 [11] years; BMI 37 [5] kg/m) were included. The LCD group had greater weight loss (-2.8 kg; 95% CI: -4.1 to -1.0; p < 0.001) and larger reduction in pain now (-1.1; 95% CI: -1.9 to -0.3; p = 0.009) compared with the control group. No association was found between changes in pain now and weight loss. Both groups experienced improvements in several QoL dimensions.

CONCLUSIONS

Diet-induced weight loss in women with lipedema can improve QoL. An energy-restricted LCD seems to be superior to a standard control diet in reducing pain.

Address: Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.; Clinic of Surgery, Nord-Trøndelag Hospital Trust, Namsos Hospital, Namsos, Norway.; Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.; Department of Nutrition and Speech-Language Therapy, Clinic of Rehabilitation, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.; Clinic of Cardiology, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.; Department of Public Health and Nursing, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.; Department of Clinical Medicine, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.; Department of Food and Nutrition and Sport Science, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.; Regional Center for Obesity Research and Innovation (ObeCe), Department of Surgery, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.; Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.; Regional Center for Obesity Research and Innovation (ObeCe), Department of Surgery, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.; Department of Nutrition Sciences, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, Alabama, USA.; Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.; Clinic of Surgery, Nord-Trøndelag Hospital Trust, Namsos Hospital, Namsos, Norway.; Regional Center for Obesity Research and Innovation (ObeCe), Department of Surgery, St. Olavs Hospital, Trondheim University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway.

DOI: 10.1002/oby.24026

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https://doi.org/10.1002/oby.24026

MeSH Terms: Humans, Female, Quality of Life, Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted, Middle Aged, Lipedema, Adult, Weight Loss, Pain, Obesity, Body Composition, Treatment Outcome, Body Weight, Ketosis