Abstract
BackgroundLymphedema of the lower limbs is a chronic disease caused by damage to the lymphatic system that influences people’s mobility, functionality, and quality of life. Questionnaires and physical test are very practical, easy to apply, and low cost methods that provide important data for evaluation of these patients.ObjectivesTo evaluate the influence of unilateral lower limb lymphedema on functionality and quality of life, correlating 3 assessment tools.MethodsThis was a descriptive study investigating 25 patients of both sexes with unilateral lymphedema in a lower limb. Limb volume was assessed using circumferential tape measurements, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) was used to assess quality of life, the Lymphoedema Functioning, Disability and Health Questionnaire for Lower Limb Lymphoedema (Lymph-ICF-LL) was used to assess physical, mental, and social skills related to lymphedema, and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was used for functional assessment.ResultsLymphedema was present throughout the affected lower limb of participants. The domains most affected by lymphedema were physical aspects (25.0 ± 31.4) and emotional aspects (36.0 ± 42.9) from the SF-36 and the mobility domain (6.0 ± 2.6) from the Lymph -ICF-LL. Patients performed the TUG in 9.88 ± 1.98 seconds. The TUG was correlated with the questionnaires and the questionnaires were correlated with each other.ConclusionsPeople with unilateral lower limb lymphedema exhibited negative impacts on quality of life and functionality, as evaluated by questionnaires, which were correlated with each other. TUG performance was within normal limits, but results correlated with the questionnaires used.
Highlights
Lymphedema is a chronic disease provoked by damage or abnormalities affecting the lymphatic system that cause increased limb volume
Our findings show that there is a correlation between the time taken to complete the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and total SF‐36 score and with Lymph-ICF-Lower limb (LL) domains
This study found evidence that people with unilateral lymphedema of a lower limb exhibit a negative impact on quality of life and functionality related physical, mental, and social abilities assessed using questionnaires, which correlate with each other
Summary
Lymphedema is a chronic disease provoked by damage or abnormalities affecting the lymphatic system that cause increased limb volume. Lymphedema of the lower limbs is a chronic disease caused by damage to the lymphatic system that influences people’s mobility, functionality, and quality of life. Limb volume was assessed using circumferential tape measurements, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) was used to assess quality of life, the Lymphoedema Functioning, Disability and Health Questionnaire for Lower Limb Lymphoedema (Lymph-ICF-LL) was used to assess physical, mental, and social skills related to lymphedema, and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was used for functional assessment. Conclusions: People with unilateral lower limb lymphedema exhibited negative impacts on quality of life and functionality, as evaluated by questionnaires, which were correlated with each other. TUG performance was within normal limits, but results correlated with the questionnaires used
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