Impact on Health-Related quality of life after wearing compression garment or not for six months in women with mild breast cancer-related arm lymphedema. A cross-sectional study
(2023) In Acta Oncologica 62(5). p.528-534- Abstract
Background: Women with mild breast cancer-related arm lymphedema (BCRAL) mostly receive treatment with compression garments and instructions in self-care to prevent the progression of lymphedema. However, wearing a compression garment may be experienced as negative and may affect health-related quality of life (HRQOL) more than the lymphedema itself. The aim of this study was to investigate if there is a difference in lymphedema-specific HRQOL, between women with mild BCRAL wearing compression garments or not for 6 months. Material and methods: Participants with mild BCRAL (Lymphedema relative volume <10%) rated their HRQOL by the Lymphedema Quality of Life Inventory (LyQLI), 6 months after diagnosis and being randomized to... (More)
Background: Women with mild breast cancer-related arm lymphedema (BCRAL) mostly receive treatment with compression garments and instructions in self-care to prevent the progression of lymphedema. However, wearing a compression garment may be experienced as negative and may affect health-related quality of life (HRQOL) more than the lymphedema itself. The aim of this study was to investigate if there is a difference in lymphedema-specific HRQOL, between women with mild BCRAL wearing compression garments or not for 6 months. Material and methods: Participants with mild BCRAL (Lymphedema relative volume <10%) rated their HRQOL by the Lymphedema Quality of Life Inventory (LyQLI), 6 months after diagnosis and being randomized to compression group (CG) or non-compression group (NCG). Both groups received self-care instructions, and the CG was treated with a standard compression garment, compression class 1. Data from 51 women (30 in the CG and 21 in the NCG), were analyzed. Results: Both the CG and the NCG experienced a low negative impact on HRQOL in physical, psychosocial, and practical domains (score <1). However, the CG experienced a higher negative impact on median HRQOL in the practical domain compared to the NCG, 0.23/0.08 respectively, (p = 0.026). In the specific items, more participants in the CG reported a negative impact on HRQOL compared to the NCG in employment activities 23%/0%, (p = 0.032), embarrassment by lymphedema/compression garments 33%/5%, (p = 0.017), feeling discomfort/embarrassment while doing sports and hobbies 30%/5%, (p = 0.034) and having to answer questions about the lymphedema 27%/0% (p = 0.015). Conclusion: Overall, the lymphedema-specific HRQOL was high after 6 months in women with mild lymphedema, with only a minor difference between the groups. Some women may however perceive practical and emotional issues with the compression garment. These aspects should be considered in patient education and when planning/evaluating treatment. Trial registration: ISRCTN51918431.
(Less)
- author
- Blom, Katarina Y. LU ; Johansson, Karin I. LU ; Nilsson-Wikmar, Lena B. ; Klernäs, Pia E. and Brogårdh, Christina B. LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2023
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Breast cancer, compression garment, health-related quality of life, lymphedema, lymphedema quality of life inventory
- in
- Acta Oncologica
- volume
- 62
- issue
- 5
- pages
- 7 pages
- publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:37211678
- scopus:85160078644
- ISSN
- 0284-186X
- DOI
- 10.1080/0284186X.2023.2213442
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 8861a1cb-347e-4a58-8fbf-29f7cae7c52a
- date added to LUP
- 2023-09-22 12:54:36
- date last changed
- 2024-04-19 01:17:08
@article{8861a1cb-347e-4a58-8fbf-29f7cae7c52a, abstract = {{<p>Background: Women with mild breast cancer-related arm lymphedema (BCRAL) mostly receive treatment with compression garments and instructions in self-care to prevent the progression of lymphedema. However, wearing a compression garment may be experienced as negative and may affect health-related quality of life (HRQOL) more than the lymphedema itself. The aim of this study was to investigate if there is a difference in lymphedema-specific HRQOL, between women with mild BCRAL wearing compression garments or not for 6 months. Material and methods: Participants with mild BCRAL (Lymphedema relative volume <10%) rated their HRQOL by the Lymphedema Quality of Life Inventory (LyQLI), 6 months after diagnosis and being randomized to compression group (CG) or non-compression group (NCG). Both groups received self-care instructions, and the CG was treated with a standard compression garment, compression class 1. Data from 51 women (30 in the CG and 21 in the NCG), were analyzed. Results: Both the CG and the NCG experienced a low negative impact on HRQOL in physical, psychosocial, and practical domains (score <1). However, the CG experienced a higher negative impact on median HRQOL in the practical domain compared to the NCG, 0.23/0.08 respectively, (p = 0.026). In the specific items, more participants in the CG reported a negative impact on HRQOL compared to the NCG in employment activities 23%/0%, (p = 0.032), embarrassment by lymphedema/compression garments 33%/5%, (p = 0.017), feeling discomfort/embarrassment while doing sports and hobbies 30%/5%, (p = 0.034) and having to answer questions about the lymphedema 27%/0% (p = 0.015). Conclusion: Overall, the lymphedema-specific HRQOL was high after 6 months in women with mild lymphedema, with only a minor difference between the groups. Some women may however perceive practical and emotional issues with the compression garment. These aspects should be considered in patient education and when planning/evaluating treatment. Trial registration: ISRCTN51918431.</p>}}, author = {{Blom, Katarina Y. and Johansson, Karin I. and Nilsson-Wikmar, Lena B. and Klernäs, Pia E. and Brogårdh, Christina B.}}, issn = {{0284-186X}}, keywords = {{Breast cancer; compression garment; health-related quality of life; lymphedema; lymphedema quality of life inventory}}, language = {{eng}}, number = {{5}}, pages = {{528--534}}, publisher = {{Taylor & Francis}}, series = {{Acta Oncologica}}, title = {{Impact on Health-Related quality of life after wearing compression garment or not for six months in women with mild breast cancer-related arm lymphedema. A cross-sectional study}}, url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0284186X.2023.2213442}}, doi = {{10.1080/0284186X.2023.2213442}}, volume = {{62}}, year = {{2023}}, }