Abstract
Background: Chronic edema is a condition posing a high burden on patients. The primary aim of the study was to assess the health-related quality of life (QoL) of adult patients living with chronic edema.Methods and Results: As part of an international, multicenter, prospective study, we prospectively assessed the health-related QoL of adult patients living with a chronic edema using a disease-specific tool and a generic one. In total, 1094 patients were included, aged 57 years on average. The average EQ-5D and LYMQOL visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were equal to 63.6 (SD = 20.2) and 6.3 (SD = 2.0), respectively. After adjustment, the EQ-5D VAS was explained by LYMQOL VAS (β = 7.85; p < 0.001), age (β = −0.08; p = 0.02), obesity (β = −1.89; p = 0.001), and male gender (β = 3.32; p = 0.002). As for the LYMQOL VAS, it was independently associated with EQ-5D VAS (β = 0.07; p < 0.001), LYMQOL function (β = −0.21; p < 0.001), and LYMQOL mood (β = −0.49; p < 0.001).Conclusion: This study confirms that patients living with a chronic edema experience a poor disease-specific and generic health-related QoL.
Highlights
Chronic edema is characterized by persistent swelling of a body part that has been present for >3 months.[1]
The vast majority of studies focus on breast cancer–related chronic edema or lower limb chronic edema, and little is known about the impact of chronic edema on health-related quality of life (QoL)
The primary aim of the study was to assess the healthrelated QoL of adult patients living with chronic edema
Summary
Chronic edema is characterized by persistent swelling of a body part that has been present for >3 months.[1] Chronic edema types include lymphedema, lymphovenous edema, lipedema, and gravitational edema. It can affect the upper or lower limbs, the trunk, genitals, head, face, neck, or a combination of these.[2] Chronic edema is a chronic, incurable condition and poses a high burden on patients due to pain and swelling. Methods and Results: As part of an international, multicenter, prospective study, we prospectively assessed the health-related QoL of adult patients living with a chronic edema using a disease-specific tool and a generic one.
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