Quality of Life, Upper Extremity Function and the Effect of Lymphedema Treatment in Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema Patients

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effect of complex decongestive therapy (CDT) on the kinesthetic sense of hands, upper extremity function, and the quality of life in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Patients and methods: Between August 2018 and August 2019, total of 50 women with BCRL (mean age: 56.5±9.6 years; range, 36 to 71 years) were included in the study. Kinesthetic sense of the hand, upper extremity function (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand [DASH]), quality of life (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire [EORTC QLQ-C30]), and arm volume of all patients were evaluated before and after the treatment. All patients received CDT for 20 sessions for 1 h over a total of four weeks. Results: A statistically significant decrease in the volume of the involved extremity was observed after the treatment (p<0.001). There was a significant decrease in the symptom score (p<0.001) and a significant improvement in the general health status and functional scales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 (p<0.001 and p=0.012, respectively). The DASH scores and visual and kinesthetic sense scores of the patients significantly improved after the treatment (p=0.016, p=0.008, and p<0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Our study results show that BCRL is a serious complication which may lead to impairment in the kinesthetic sense of hand and upper extremity function with the increased arm volume. The CDT is an effective and safe method not only to achieve significant volume reduction in the extremities, but also to achieve favorable results in managing these problems.

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Upper extremity function and quality of life in patients with breast cancer related lymphedema

Vojnosanitetski pregled ◽

10.2298/vsp150208075b ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 73 (9) ◽

pp. 825-830 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Dragana Bojinovic-Rodic ◽

Svetlana Popovic-Petrovic ◽

Sanja Tomic ◽

Stanislava Markez ◽

Dobrinka Zivanic

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Mental Health ◽

Upper Extremity ◽

Upper Limb ◽

Limb Function ◽

Upper Limb Function ◽

Upper Extremity Function ◽

Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema

Background/Aim. Upper limb lymphedema is one of the most frequent chronic complications after breast cancer treatment with a significant impact on the upper extremity function and quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to estimate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with breast-cancer-related lymphedema and its correlation with upper limb function and the size of edema. Methods. The cross-sectional study included 54 breast-cancer-related lymphedema patients. The quality of life was evaluated by the Short Form 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36). Upper limb function was assessed by the Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (Quick DASH). The size of lymphedema was determined by the arm circumference. Results. The higher HRQoL score was assessed for mental health (47.0 ? 12.2) than for physical one (42.2 ? 7.5). The highest values of SF-36 were found in the domains of Mental Health (67.7 ? 22.9) and Social Function (70.1 ? 23.1). The lowest scores were registered in the domains of Role Physical (46.9 ? 39.1) and General Health (49.3 ? 20.1). Upper extremity function statistically significantly correlated with the domains Role Physical, Bodily Pain and Physical Composite Summary and also, with the domain Role Emotional (p < 0.01). There was no statistically significant correlation between size of lymphedema and tested domains of quality of life (p > 0.05). Conclusions. Physical disability in patients with breast cancer-related lymphedema influences quality of life more than mental health. Upper limb function has a significant impact on quality of life, not only on the physical, but also on the mental component. The presence of breast-cancer-related lymphedema certainly affects upper limb function and quality of life, but in this study no significant correlation between the size of edema and quality of life was found.

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