Prevalence and characteristics of lymphoedema at a wound-care clinic

Abstract

Objective: Lymphoedema is estimated to affect up to 300,000 Canadians but remains underrecognised and undertreated. A retrospective chart review was conducted to determine the clinical characteristics and treatment practices of lymphoedema in a Canadian wound care clinic.

Method: Data were collected retrospectively from dictated clinic notes of 326 lymphoedema patients at a wound clinic in a regional rehabilitation hospital.

Results: The mean age (±SD) of diagnosis was 66.8 (±15.5). Patients had 7.3 (±3.3) comorbidities and took 8.4 (±4.6) concomitant medications. The most common comorbidities were venous disease (73%), hypertension (60%), and obesity (46%). Clinic patients were less likely to be women, have arm lymphoedema, or have cancer-related aetiology compared with previous studies, reflecting a two-tiered model of care delivery in the area. Treatments prescribed by the clinic were consistent best practice recommendations for conservative treatment.

Conclusion: A significant proportion of the wound clinic's patients had lymphoedema. Lack of resources, lack of awareness among primary care providers, and patient adherence are barriers to lymphoedema care.

Keywords: complex oedema; obesity; retrospective chart review; secondary lymphoedema; venous disease.