Upper-Limb disability and the severity of lymphedema reduce the quality of life of patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema
Fecha
2023
Profe guía
Perfil ORCID
Título de la revista
ISSN de la revista
Título del volumen
Editor
MDPI
ISBN
ISSN
1718-7729
ISSNe
Resumen
Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is characterized by arm swelling, pain, and discomfort, reducing the quality of life (QoL) of affected individuals. BRCL is caused via the blockage or disruption of the lymphatic vessels following cancer treatments, leading to an accumulation of fluid in the affected arm. While current BCRL rehabilitation treatments seek to reduce arm swelling, our study aimed to examine the impact of both the magnitude of lymphedema (ΔVolume) and arm disability on three dimensions of QoL: social, physical, and psychological. Using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire (DASH) and the Upper Limb Lymphedema 27 questionnaire (ULL) in a group of 30 patients, we found that the magnitude of lymphedema (ΔVolume) was associated with the social dimension of QoL (r = 0.37, p = 0.041), but not with other dimensions. On the other hand, arm disability was associated with all evaluated dimensions of QoL (social, physical, and psychological: p < 0.001, p = 0.019, and p = 0.050 (borderline), respectively). These findings suggest that BCRL rehabilitation strategies should not only aim to reduce the magnitude of lymphedema but should also seek to improve or preserve arm functionality to enhance the QoL of BCRL patients.
Descripción
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Sponsorship
Citación
Current Oncology, Vol. 30, N° 9, (2023) p. 8068-8077.
Palabras clave
Lymphedema, Linfedema del cáncer de mama, Breast cancer lymphedema, Disability evaluation, Quality of life, Disabled persons
Licencia
Atribución-NoComercial-CompartirIgual 3.0 Chile (CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 CL)