Quality of life in patients with primary and secondary lymphedema in the community.

Resource type
Authors/contributors
Title
Quality of life in patients with primary and secondary lymphedema in the community.
Abstract
Lymphedema is a complex and burdensome medical problem and requires continuous specific therapy. The aim of this cross-sectional study of community lymphedema care in the metropolitan area of Hamburg, Germany, was to evaluate health-related quality of life (QoL) in lymphedema patients. Generic as well as disease-specific health-related QoL was assessed using EQ-5D and FLQA-LK, respectively. Pain was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS). About 301 patients (median age of 60.5 years, 90.8% female) with lymphedema of any origin were included. About 66.4% had lymphedema, 24.1% combined lipolymphedema, and 9.5% lipoedema. Mean disease-specific QoL (FLQA-LK) was 2.4 (range 0 = no to 4 = maximum burden). The highest impairment values were observed in subscales for physical complaints, everyday life, and emotional well-being. Mean EQ-5D VAS was 70.4, mean EQ-5D score 63.3. Lymphedema was associated with major impairments in QoL, which differed for subgroups of pain, clinical severity, and comorbidity. Pain as a common problem for lymphedema patients seemed to be underestimated and undertreated. Early diagnosis and structured treatment strategies are urgently needed.
Publication
Wound repair and regeneration : official publication of the Wound Healing Society [and] the European Tissue Repair Society
Volume
25
Issue
3
Pages
466-473
Date
2017 May
Journal Abbr
Wound Repair Regen
Language
eng
ISSN
1524-475X 1067-1927
Rights
© 2017 by the Wound Healing Society.
Extra
Place: United States
Citation
Herberger, K., Blome, C., Heyer, K., Ellis, F., Münter, K.-C., & Augustin, M. (2017). Quality of life in patients with primary and secondary lymphedema in the community. Wound Repair and Regeneration : Official Publication of the Wound Healing Society  [and] the European Tissue Repair Society, 25(3), 466–473. https://doi.org/10.1111/wrr.12529
Remark
The Lipedema Foundation LEGATO Lipedema Library is not currently in possession of this resource.