Lipodystrophy and Body Image: A Qualitative Analysis Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative study to explore the views of people living with lipodystrophy and its implications on body image
IRAS ID
168382
Contact name
Claire L Adams
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and University of Cambridge
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
We would like to invite 10-15 people with lipodystrophy to take part in a study about how lipodystrophy effects their body image. Lipodystrophy is a rare condition in which people can not store fat on their body properly. This may result in a loss of all-over body fat (generalised) or some body fat (partial) and means that the fat cells do not function properly. It can be inherited or it can develop later on (acquired). Any dietary fat or fat made by the body can’t be stored properly. This means that the fat finds somewhere else to go and ends up in the wrong places such as the muscles and the liver, and this can lead to metabolic problems such as diabetes and pancreatitis. The lack of fat can make people look different.
During clinic appointments at the National Severe Insulin Resistance (NSIR) clinic, people frequently report that the way that the lack of fat makes them look is a major concern to them. Some people feel that this is a higher priority to them than some of the other problems the condition causes.
Potential participants will be identified from the NSIR clinic and will be invited to take part in semi- structured interviews with the specialist nurse/ researcher. Questions will be asked about how lipodystrophy affects their body image.
Interviews will be held in the Clinical Research Facility at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, the participants own home or via telephone. Interviews will last approximately 1 hour.The information we collect from this study will help us plan future help and support. The information is also intended to underpin a subsequent PhD project to assess body image in a larger sample and develop and test interventions to support patients.
REC name
West Midlands - Coventry & Warwickshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/WM/0315
Date of REC Opinion
28 Aug 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion