Pennington Biomedical Research Center recruiting participants for lipedema research study

June has been designated as Lipedema Awareness Month, and the month serves as an opportunity to educate the public about this common condition and raise funds for research. Lipedema, a condition defined by abnormal fat accumulation in certain parts of the body, most commonly the buttocks and thighs, is often misdiagnosed as obesity. This chronic and progressive condition primarily affects as many as one-in-10 women, and there is currently no cure and only limited therapies.

Despite its prevalence, lipedema is grossly underdiagnosed, leading to physical and emotional pain for those living with the condition. As part of its commitment to advancing medical knowledge related to chronic disease, Pennington Biomedical is conducting a clinical trial to better understand lipedema.

Pennington Biomedical’s Lipedema Research Study is looking at the distribution and the function of the fat tissue in individuals with lipedema compared to those with obesity to better understand this disease. The research trial involves a comprehensive assessment of participants’ lipedema fat tissue, as well as physical examinations and specialized imaging techniques such as MRI scans, DXA scans and 3D imaging.

“Pennington Biomedical is calling on individuals living with lipedema to consider participating in this important clinical trial,” said Dr. Eric Ravussin, Douglas L. Gordon Chair in Diabetes and Metabolism and principal investigator for the Lipedema study. “By joining forces, we can make significant strides in the field of lipedema research, potentially improving the lives of individuals who are living with this condition worldwide.”

To qualify for this research study, participants should:

• Be a pre-menopausal female between the ages of 18-45 years old
• Have a BMI less than or equal to 70 calculate your BMI
• Have a clinical diagnosis of lipedema (diagnosis can be confirmed at Pennington Biomedical)

“Part of our mission at Pennington Biomedical is to bring awareness to the community on metabolic health and diseases,” said Dr. John Kirwan, Executive Director of Pennington Biomedical. “Lipedema is not well understood and is underdiagnosed. This clinical trial provides an invaluable opportunity to further our understanding of lipedema and its impact on a person’s health.”

Participation in the study will last approximately three months, and compensation of up to $475 is being offered for the completion of this study. For more information, visit https://www.pbrc.edu/lipedema.

The year’s Lipedema Awareness Month theme is “Living Fully with Lipedema.” For more information, visit the Lipedema Foundation’s website at https://www.lipedema.org/lipedema-awareness-month-2024.  

About the Pennington Biomedical Research Center
The Pennington Biomedical Research Center is at the forefront of medical discovery as it relates to understanding the triggers of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer and dementia. Pennington Biomedical has the vision to lead the world in promoting metabolic health and eliminating metabolic disease through scientific discoveries that create solutions from cells to society. The center conducts basic, clinical, and population research, and is a campus of the LSU System.

The research enterprise at Pennington Biomedical includes over 530 employees within a network of 44 clinics and research laboratories, and 13 highly specialized core service facilities. Its scientists and physician/scientists are supported by research trainees, lab technicians, nurses, dietitians, and other support personnel. Pennington Biomedical is a state-of-the-art research facility on a 222-acre campus in Baton Rouge.

For more information, see www.pbrc.edu.