SCR-LIP-000028 · Claim · machine-readable JSON →

In NHANES women aged 20-59, a lipedema-like peripheral fat distribution was inversely associated with cancer prevalence: each 1-SD increase in leg-to-trunk fat ratio was associated with 20% lower adjusted odds of cancer (OR 0.795; 95%CI 0.666-0.948; p=0.011).

Emerging epidemiologic Evidence certainty: low (GRADE)

Evidence over time

DOI:10.64898/2025.12.02.25341445 — supporting · cross sectional · n=2818 · 2025 · risk of bias: moderate
prevalence/survivorship not incidence; reverse causation possible; E-value 1.83

PopulationUS women 20-59 (NHANES)

Conditionlipedema

Exposureleg-to-trunk fat ratio (per 1-SD)

Comparatorlower LTR (more central fat)

Outcomeself-reported cancer prevalence

Scopecross-sectional, n=2818 (130 cancer)

Cross-sectional prevalence not incidence; self-reported; residual confounding; cannot distinguish clinical lipedema from peripheral obesity.