Prevalence of Subclinical Systemic Lymphedema in Patients Following Treatment for Breast Cancer and Association with Body Mass Index

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the prevalence of subclinical systemic lymphedema in patients with lymphedema following treatment for breast cancer and the association with the body mass index (BMI). A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of subclinical systemic lymphedema using bioelectrical impedance analysis in patients with lymphedema following treatment for breast cancer. One hundred women with lymphedema of the upper limbs resulting from treatment for breast cancer were evaluated at the Godoy Clinic in 2019. Fisher's exact test demonstrated a significant association between BMI higher than 30 kg/m(2) and subclinical systemic lymphedema (p=0.01). The prevalence of subclinical systemic lymphedema is high among patients with lymphedema following treatment for breast cancer and is associated with the increase in BMI.