Factors associated with lymphedema volume in patients with unilateral lower extremity lymphedema


Ergin G., Şahinoğlu E., KARADİBAK D.

Phlebology, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1177/02683555251357141
  • Dergi Adı: Phlebology
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, MEDLINE
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Lymphedema, lower extremity, demography, infection, smoking, risk factors
  • Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Objective: We aimed to investigate demographic and clinical characteristics associated with lymphedema volume in this patient population. Methods: This was a single centre, cross-sectional study. Eighty-six patients with unilateral lower extremity lymphedema were included. The dependent variable was lymphedema volume. The independent variables were age, body mass index, gender, employment status, smoking status, duration of lymphedema, history of infection, type of lymphedema, and the interactions between history of infection and smoking status and between history of infection and type of lymphedema. Results: The interactions between history of infection and smoking status (B = 25.04, 95% CI [8.87, 41.22], p < .01) and between history of infection and type of lymphedema (B = 13.11, 95% CI [0.62, 25.60], p = .04) were associated with lymphedema volume. Being employed was associated with lower lymphedema volume (B = −10.53, 95% CI [−18.36, −2.70], p < .01). Age, body mass index, gender, and duration of lymphedema were not associated with lymphedema volume (p > .05). Conclusions: In patients with unilateral lower extremity lymphedema, smokers or patients with primary lymphedema tend to have higher lymphedema volume when they experience an infection. Employed patients exhibit lower lymphedema volume compared to non-employed patients. Age, body mass index, gender, and duration of lymphedema are not associated with lymphedema volume.