Araya-Castro P.1,2, Leppe J.3,4, Sacomori C.4,5
1Universidad San Sebastián, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Santiago, Chile, 2Sociedad Chilena de Kinesiología Oncologica, Santiago, Chile, 3Universidad del Desarrollo, Facultad de Medicina, Clinica Alemana, Santiago, Chile, 4Chilean Organization of Physical Therapy in Woman's Health, Santiago, Chile, 5Universidad Bernando O'Higgins, Kinesiology, Santiago, Chile
Background: Self-perception of swelling can be an effective tool in diagnostic and early intervention of lymphedema.
Purpose: In the present paper we verified the association between self-perception of swelling of upper extremity and objective criteria commonly used for lymphedema in women treated for breast cancer.
Methods: We evaluated 112 women with breast cancer between 6 and 18 months post-surgery. Indirect calculation of volume of upper extremities through four criteria commonly used were collected: volume difference between upper extremities ≥2 cms, ≥ 200 ml, ≥10%, ≥20 %. The self-perception of swelling was evaluated. For data analysis the chi square test was used.
Results: The mean age was 56.3 years (sd = 13.1). The prevalence of lymphedema according to limb volume difference ≥ 200 ml criterion was 13.4%; 17% for criterion ≥10%; 6.25% for criterion ≥ 20%; and 33% for criterion ≥2 cm. Stemmer was positive in 51.8% and 17.9% women presented positive fovea. Self-perception of swelling was associated with the criteria ≥ 200 ml and ≥10% (p .05) and the presence of positive Stemmer and fovea (p .05).
Conclusion(s): In conclusion, the information provided by the patient about her perception of swelling, is associated with conservative objective diagnostic criteria and positive signs Stemmer and fovea. It should be considered in the clinical evaluation.
Implications: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Funding acknowledgements: This clinical research was funded by San Sebastian University, Chile (project 5010).
Topic: Oncology, HIV & palliative care
Ethics approval: In Chile in 2010, observational research not need necessarily approval of ethics committee. It was made according to Declaration Helsinki.
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
