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Lymphedema Epidemiology

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Lymphedema

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Abstract

Lymphedema remains an under-recognised and under-resourced aspect of healthcare. It has been considered to be a rare condition, which causes little morbidity and cannot be treated.

It is therefore important to measure the prevalence and impact of lymphedema in different populations to be able to quantify the real healthcare needs of people with this condition.

Large population-based studies are difficult to carry out, but there are methods such as the case ascertainment approach, which allow the prevalence of lymphedema to be estimated. In all such studies, it is important that the population is well defined and a standard definition of the term lymphedema/chronic edema is used.

Using the definition of chronic edema as «edema of any body site present for at least 3 months», a study carried out in London revealed a crude prevalence of 1.33/1000. The prevalence was higher in those aged over 65 years. This study also demonstrated the significant impact of chronic edema on individuals.

A recent similar study carried out in the Midlands of the UK reported a crude prevalence of 3.93/1000. The difference between these results may be explained by differences in the characteristics of the populations or in the awareness of local healthcare professionals of the condition.

An international epidemiological study (LIMPRINT) is being carried out to estimate the prevalence and impact of chronic edema in a number of countries around the world in order to improve awareness and understanding of this condition.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Derby, UK

    Vaughan Keeley

  2. University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

    Vaughan Keeley

  3. School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

    Christine Moffatt

  4. Derby Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Derby, UK

    Christine Moffatt

  5. Cardiff Wound Healing Institute; Kanasawa University; Western Ontario University, LOROS, UK, Glasgow University, Glasgow, UK

    Christine Moffatt

Authors
  1. Vaughan Keeley
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  2. Christine Moffatt
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vaughan Keeley .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for the Lymphedema and Vascular Malformations, Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA

    Byung-Boong Lee

  2. Falk Cardiovascular Research Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA

    Stanley G. Rockson

  3. La Jolla, California, USA

    John Bergan

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Keeley, V., Moffatt, C. (2018). Lymphedema Epidemiology. In: Lee, BB., Rockson, S., Bergan, J. (eds) Lymphedema. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52423-8_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-52423-8_13

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-52421-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-52423-8

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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