Examining Obesity in Lymphedema: A Retrospective Study of 178 New Patients with Suspected Lymphedema at a Canadian Hospital-Based Clinic.

Physiotherapists have an important role to play in the early detection and treatment of lymphedema, a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by excess interstitial protein-rich fluid, which is estimated to affect more than one million Canadians. Obesity has been identified both as an important cause of and as a risk factor for developing lymphedema of various aetiologies. Little is currently known about obesity in Canadians affected by lymphedema.

Comparisons Between Cancer-Related and Noncancer-Related Lymphedema: An Overview of New Patients Referred to a Specialized Hospital-Based Center in Canada.

Background: Lymphedema is an irreversible inflammatory condition caused by accumulated lymph fluid and is associated with chronic swelling and increased risk of cellulitis. Our objectives were to: (1) describe the patient population referred to a Canadian lymphedema center and (2) compare lymphedema characteristics between patients with cancer and patients with noncancer diagnoses.

Methods And Results: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of new patients referred for suspected lymphedema to a hospital-based center over a 2-year period.

A lymphedema self-management programme: report on 30 cases.

Purpose: Compression therapy is the most important element in the treatment and long-term management of moderate and severe lymphedema, but it is not universally accessible in Canada. For those unable to access private lymphedema treatment, physiotherapists at the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) Lymphedema Clinic began teaching patients and caregivers how to use compression bandages safely and effectively.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was combined with structured telephone or in-person interviews with 30 people who had attended a self-bandaging clinic in the MUHC Lymphedema Clinic between 2011 and 2012.

Determining the precision of dual energy x-ray absorptiometry and bioelectric impedance spectroscopy in the assessment of breast cancer-related lymphedema.

Background: The composition of breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) has been shown to evolve from the initial accumulation of fluid to the development of fibrotic lesions and abnormal fat deposition. Therefore, precise and reliable assessments of BCRL are required to develop accurate staging and management. Although dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bioelectric impedance spectroscopy (BIS) have been used to assess BCRL, no study has evaluated the precision of these two modalities in the same cohort.

Increasing public and provider knowledge of lymphedema: evaluation of the lymphedema roadshow.

Background: In this pilot study, we evaluated the Lymphedema Roadshow's capacity to increase public and provider awareness of postcancer lymphedema.

Methods: Participants completed preworkshop and postworkshop surveys to determine if the intervention changed their attitudes and knowledge of postcancer lymphedema.

Results: The workshop significantly increased 6 of 8 knowledge scores and 2 of 6 attitude scores among public participants and 7 of 8 knowledge scores and 5 of 6 attitude scores among health care providers.