This study aimed to monitor public interest in information related to Lipedema and examine potential temporal, seasonal, and income-related trends that may impact public interest.
Material – Methods
A dataset was created using the Google Trends tool by inputting the keyword “Lipedema” to obtain the relative search volume (RSV) from 2004 to the present in the United States (US). To examine potential income-related disparities in public interest in Lipedema across the US, RSV values were recorded in the five states with the highest and the lowest median income (Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Utah, and Washington and Mississippi, West Virginia, Arkansas, New Mexico, Kentucky, respectively).
Results
Public interest in Lipedema increased significantly over time (R2 = 0.693, p < .001 for the linear trend; R2 = 0.880, p < .001 for the quadratic trend). There were no significant differences between the RSV values between the month of the year and the season of the year (p = 1.000 and p = .859, respectively). RSV values of the five highest-income and low-income states showed significant increases (R2 = 0.333, p < .001, and R2 = 0.195, p < .001, respectively) More rapid growth in interest in Lipedema in states with high income compared to the states with low income (p < .001).
Conclusion
Public interest in Lipedema is increasing in both high-income and low-income states. States with higher incomes are more interested. Searches for lipedema are expected to become more frequent, leading to a rising demand for comprehensive education in medical schools and clinician training programs. In addition, there will also be a need for easily accessible, high-quality information resources.
ToddM. Lipoedema: presentation and management. Br J Community Nurs2010; 15(4): S10–S16.
2.
TorreYSWadeeaRRosasV, et al.Lipedema: friend and foe. Horm Mol Biol Clin Invest2018; 33(1): 20170076.
3.
Forner-CorderoISzolnokyGForner-CorderoA, et al.Lipedema: an overview of its clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of the disproportional fatty deposition syndrome–systematic review. Clin Obes2012; 2(3-4): 86–95.
4.
KatzerKHillJLMcIverKB, et al.Lipedema and the potential role of estrogen in excessive adipose tissue accumulation. Int J Mol Sci2021; 22(21): 11720–11732.
5.
BertlichMJakobMBertlichI, et al.Lipedema in a male patient: report of a rare case–management and review of the literature. GMS Interdiscip Plast Reconstr Surg DGPW2021; 10: Doc11.
6.
BuckDWHerbstKL. Lipedema: a relatively common disease with extremely common misconceptions. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open2016; 4(9): e1043.
7.
HerbstKLKahnLAIkerE, et al.Standard of care for lipedema in the United States. Phlebology2021; 36(10): 779–796.
8.
Bujnowska-FedakMMWaligóraJMastalerz-MigasA. The internet as a source of health information and services. Adv Exp Med Biol2019; 1211: 1–16.
9.
IkpezeTCMesfinA. Interest in orthopedic surgery residency: a Google Trends analysis. J Surg Orthop Adv2018; 27(2): 98–101.
10.
AroraVSMcKeeMStucklerD. Google Trends: opportunities and limitations in health and health policy research. Health Pol2019; 123(3): 338–341.
11.
JellisonSSBibensMCheckettsJ, et al.Using Google Trends to assess global public interest in osteoarthritis. Rheumatol Int2018; 38(11): 2133–2136.
12.
WangYZhangHZhengQ, et al.Public interest in Raynaud's phenomenon: a Google Trends analysis. Dermatol Ther2020; 33(6): e14017.
13.
CohenSACohenLETijerinaJD. The impact of monthly campaigns and other high-profile media coverage on public interest in 13 malignancies: a Google Trends analysis. Ecancermedicalscience2020; 14: 1154.
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Population (POPTHM). St. Louis, MO, USA: Federal Reserve Economic Data, 2024. https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/POPTHM(accessed September 2024)
17.
MavraganiAOchoaG. Google Trends in infodemiology and infoveillance: methodology framework. JMIR Public Health Surveill2019; 5(2): e13439.
18.
JinPZhaoQZangY, et al.A Google Trends analysis revealed global public interest and awareness of nasal polyps. Eur Arch Oto-Rhino-Laryngol2023; 280(6): 2831–2839.
19.
CinarC. Analyzing public interest in osteoarthritis and its minimally invasive treatments: a Google trends analysis. Cureus2023; 15(10): e47021.
20.
PlackettRKaushalAKassianosAP, et al.Use of social media to promote cancer screening and early diagnosis: scoping review. J Med Internet Res2020; 22: e21582.
21.
Forner-CorderoIForner-CorderoA. Lipoedema–a growing problem in Spain. Phlebologie2021; 50(06): 376–383.
22.
AllenEHinesEHinesE. Lipedema of the legs: a syndrome characterized by fat legs and orthostatic edema. Proc Staff Meet Mayo Clin1940; 15: 184–187.
23.
HalkABDamstraRJ. First Dutch guidelines on lipedema using the international classification of functioning, disability and health. Phlebology2017; 32(3): 152–159.
24.
DayanEKimJSmithM, et al. Lipedema-The disease they call FAT: an overview for clinicians. The lipoedema project at the friedman center for lymphedema research and treatment in collaboration with lymphatic education & research network. Boston, MA, USA: The Lipoedema Project, Friedman Center for Lymphedema Research and Treatment in collaboration with the Lymphatic Education & Research Network, 2017.
25.
World Health Organization. International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems (11th Revision). Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, 2019. https://icd.who.int/browse/2024-01/mms/en#1172950828(accessed May 2024).
26.
DudekJEBiałaszekWGabrielM. Quality of life, its factors, and sociodemographic characteristics of Polish women with lipedema. BMC Wom Health2021; 21(1): 27.
27.
HavranekEPMujahidMSBarrDA, et al.Social determinants of risk and outcomes for cardiovascular disease: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation2015; 132: 873–898.
28.
ZhangSXiangW. Income gradient in health-related quality of life - the role of social networking time. Int J Equity Health2019; 18(1): 44.
29.
BoylanJMCundiffJMMatthewsKA. Socioeconomic status and cardiovascular responses to standardized stressors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychosom Med2018; 80(3): 278–293.
WittSWattBGordonS, et al.Climate change and climatic variation impact on chronic oedemas: a systematic review. Journal of Lymphoedema2021; 16(1): 24–32.
33.
PhillipsJWittSPillerN, et al.Seasonal variation in upper limb size, volume, fluid distribution, and lymphedema diagnosis, following breast cancer treatment. Lymphatic Res Biol2023; 21(4): 351–358.
34.
BertschTErbacherG. Lipedema—myths and facts. Part 2. Phlebologie2018; 47: 120–126.
35.
CellinaMGibelliDSoresinaM, et al.Non-contrast MR Lymphography of lipedema of the lower extremities. Magn Reson Imaging2020; 71: 115–124.
36.
BertschTErbacherGCordaD, et al.Lipoedema: myths and facts, part 5. European best practice of lipoedema – summary of the European Lipoedema Forum consensus. Phlebologie2020; 49: 31–49.
CarterSL. Chapter 7 - improving the importance of treatment effects. In: CarterSL (ed) The social validity manual. San Diego, CA, USA: Academic Press, 2010, pp. 175–208.
