Subclinical systemic lymphedema manifesting early in patients with clinical lymphedema
International Journal of Development Research
Subclinical systemic lymphedema manifesting early in patients with clinical lymphedema
Received 20th June, 2018; Received in revised form 21st July, 2018; Accepted 06th August, 2018; Published online 30th September, 2018
Copyright © 2018, José Maria Pereira de Godoy et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Objective: The objective of the present study is to compare intracellular and extracellular fluid variations in patients with lymphedema and body mass indexes between 25 and 37 with a control group. Subjects: A cross-sectional study was carried out of 30 consecutive patients with grade III (elephantiasis) leg lymphedema and BMI between 25 and 37 treated at the Clinica Godoy in São Jose do Rio Preto-Brazil. Variations in intracellular and extracellular fluid were evaluated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Diagnosis of lymphedema was made by the clinical history, physical examination, and measurement of intracellular and extracellular fluid levels. The unpaired t-test and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis with an alpha error greater than 5% (p-value <0.05) being considered significant. Results: Obese patients with lymphedema have more intracellular and extracellular fluid compared to obese patients without lymphedema. Conclusion: Subclinical systemic lymphedema caused by obesity manifests earlier in patients with lymphedema and worsens with the progression of obesity.
