Does lymphedema severity affect quality of life? Simple question. Challenging answers

Journal article


Teresa S. Lee, Carol M. Morris, Sharon Czerniec and Andrea J. Mangion. (2018). Does lymphedema severity affect quality of life? Simple question. Challenging answers. Lymphatic Research and Biology. 16(1), pp. 85-91. https://doi.org/10.1089/lrb.2016.0049
AuthorsTeresa S. Lee, Carol M. Morris, Sharon Czerniec and Andrea J. Mangion
Abstract

Purpose: Lymphedema can have a negative impact on the function and quality of life (QOL) of patients, but most studies have examined lymphedema as a binary variable, rather than a multidimensional disease that ranges in severity. This study explored the potential impact of lymphedema severity on function and overall QOL.

Methods and Results: Of the 54 lymphedema patients recruited, 40 reported their most severe swelling to be in a limb. These participants underwent bioimpedance measurement (L-Dex®) and completed either the disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) questionnaire or the lower extremity functional scale (LEFS). All participants completed the lymphedema quality of life questionnaire (LYMQOL) and were categorized for severity using International Society of Lymphology (ISL) stage. Mild (Stage 0-I), moderate (Stage IIa), and severe (Stage IIb-III) lymphedema accounted for 22%, 50%, and 28% of the participants, respectively. The median [inter-quartile range (IQR)] L-Dex score was 17.8 (6.6–52.7) for arm participants and 36.4 (15.9–93.5) for leg participants. Apart from a mild difference in LYMQOL ARM Appearance domain (p = 0.046), ISL staging did not have any relationship with DASH, LEFS, and LYMQOL domains, or overall QOL. Higher L-Dex was related to poorer function (DASH p = 0.015; LEFS p = 0.019), but was not related to overall QOL of limb lymphedema participants (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: Lymphedema severity did not appear to impact QOL. ISL staging may not be used alone to describe lymphedema severity. Other methods such as bioimpedance, imaging, and self-report of symptoms are required to fully evaluate the impact of lymphedema severity on function and QOL.

Keywordslymphedema; quality of life; function; bioimpedance
Year2018
JournalLymphatic Research and Biology
Journal citation16 (1), pp. 85-91
PublisherMary Ann Liebert, Inc.
ISSN1539-6851
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1089/lrb.2016.0049
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85042008067
Publisher's version
File Access Level
Controlled
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Deposited10 May 2021
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