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- MakaleYalnız künye2026Scopus SJRQ3Prevalence of sarcopenia and its functional correlates in women with lower-extremity lipedema: A cross-sectional observational study
Ozbek, Ilhan Celil; Kuculmez, Ozlem; Dundar Ahi, Emine
Background: Lipedema is a chronic, progressive adipose tissue disorder affecting mainly women, characterized by bilateral, disproportionate fat accumulation in the lower extremities. The condition is often associated with pain, heaviness, and functional limitations. While the adipose tissue changes in lipedema are well-described, its impact on muscle mass, strength, and functional performance remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of sarcopenia and its relationship with lipedema severity. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 48 women with clinically diagnosed lower-extremity lipedema. Diagnosis followed the International Lipoedema Association and German S2k guidelines. Sarcopenia was assessed using a multidimensional approach, including ultrasonographic rectus femoris thickness, handgrip strength, the Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test, and four-m walking speed. The lipedema stage was determined using morphological criteria. Statistical analyses evaluated the relationships between sarcopenia, functional parameters, and lipedema stage. Results: Participants had a mean age of 47.2 ± 8.4 years and a BMI of 33.0 ± 4.3 kg/m2. Sarcopenia was identified in 33.3% of participants, with 14.6% classified as severe. Those with sarcopenia exhibited lower rectus femoris thickness and slower walking speed (p < .05). Advancing lipedema stage correlated with reduced muscle thickness, weaker handgrip strength, slower gait, and prolonged Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test duration (p < .05). Stage 3 patients demonstrated the highest prevalence of sarcopenia, indicating progressive impairment in muscle mass and functional performance with disease severity (p < .05). No significant associations were found between age or BMI and muscle parameters (p > .05). Conclusions: Sarcopenia is prevalent in women with lower-extremity lipedema and increases with disease stage. Comprehensive musculoskeletal assessment should be integrated into lipedema management to address functional impairment and optimize patient care.
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İncele - MakaleAçık Erişim2026Scopus SJRQ1Attitudes and behaviors toward hypnosis and hypnotic susceptibility in physiotherapy patients: a cross-sectional study
Kuculmez, Ozlem; Dundar Ahi, Emine; Ozbek, Ilhan Celil; Afsar, Sevgi Ikbali
Background and objectives: Hypnosis is a focused cognitive state with increased suggestibility and neurophysiological changes, but misconceptions remain despite its clinical value. This study examined physiotherapy patients' beliefs and behaviors about hypnosis, their hypnotic suggestibility levels, and the relationships among these factors. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included voluntary adult participants aged 18–70 years who presented to the physical medicine and rehabilitation outpatient clinics. Individuals with psychiatric disorders, cognitive impairment, poor general health, illiteracy, or incomplete data were excluded. Demographic characteristics were recorded, and participants were asked to complete the attitudes and beliefs toward hypnosis scale (VSABTH-T) and the Short Form of the Suggestibility Scale (SSS). The study evaluated participants' attitudes, beliefs, and levels of suggestibility, as well as the relationships among these variables. A significance level of p < 0.05 was accepted for all statistical analyses. Results: The study analyzed data from 399 participants (65.9% male, 34.1% female) with a mean age of 42.68 ± 16.75 years. 75.4% of participants had limited knowledge, and 3.5% had hypnosis experience. Predominantly expressed concerns regarding hypnotic procedures were 86.2% fear, 61.9% emerging from hypnosis, 51.8% losing control, and 33.3% of the participants defined hypnosis as dangerous. Participants had a mean attitude and behavior score toward hypnosis of 107.21 ± 15.8 and a mean hypnotizability score of 53.29 ± 8.76. Although age, occupation, and income level showed very weak but statistically significant correlations with the total VSABTH-T scores (p = 0.001), there was no correlation with total SSS scores (p > 0.05). Attitudes toward hypnosis and hypnotic suggestibility are significantly affected by age, education, occupation, income, and particularly the level of knowledge about hypnosis (p < 0.05). Total VSABTH-T and SSS scores were not correlated (p = 0.069), although very weak associations were observed between subdimensions (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Physiotherapy patients demonstrated limited hypnosis knowledge and experience and misconceptions. Demographic factors showed weak associations with attitudes and suggestibility. Findings highlight that personal beliefs and demographics interact complexly in shaping hypnotic responsiveness, emphasizing the need for targeted education to reduce misconceptions.