Lymphatic research and biology
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Background: A comparison of symptom prevalence, intensity, and distress for participants with truncal lymphedema, head and neck lymphedema, and no lymphedema identified a need for a truncal-specific, lymphedema-related symptom assessment tool and a revision of the Lymphedema Symptom Intensity and Distress Survey-Head and Neck (LSIDS-H&N). The purpose of this study was to institute the development of the Lymphedema Symptom Intensity and Distress Survey-Truncal (LSIDS-T) and revise the LSIDS-H&N. Methods and Results: A comprehensive midline measure and subsequent series of analyses were used to develop the LSIDS-T and revise the initial LSIDS-H&N. ⋯ Cluster analysis for the LSIDS-H&N resulted in seven clusters with a total of 31 items. Key correlations in expected directions were found with the validated measures for both surveys, and correlations with the Marlowe Crown Social Desirability Scale did not indicate issues with social desirability of response. Conclusion: The 24-item LSIDS-T and the 31-item revised LSIDS-H&N v.2 are promising additions to the suite of other LSIDS measures for use in clinical environments.
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This strain of coronavirus is a new one and scientists do not yet know all there is to know about it. While these common sense points will always be helpful, it is important that you keep up to date with the advice being given by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and NHS England and how it might affect you personally. These suggestions have been produced using the most up-to-date advice available to us from our Scientific and Medical Advisors and are not intended to replace or supersede advice you may have been given from your health care professional.
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Background: The use of bioimpedance spectroscopy (BIS) for the detection of unilateral upper limb lymphedema is growing. Currently, normatively determined diagnostic thresholds using bioimpedance are available for females only. It is unclear if they are suitable for males at risk of unilateral upper limb lymphedema. ⋯ These differ from what has previously been found for females. Conclusions: This study is the first to establish normatively determined bioimpedance thresholds for male unilateral upper limb lymphedema. These thresholds should now be used to improve early detection of male unilateral upper limb lymphedema.
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Lymphedema is a chronic, incurable condition that occurs most commonly in lower limbs (legs and feet). Increased morbidity is seen with this form of lymphedema, but there are few studies and even fewer tools intended to assess symptom burden in patients impacted by this condition. A questionnaire, the Lymphedema Symptom Intensity and Distress Survey-Lower Limb (LSIDS-L), was developed to fill this gap. The measure is composed of several clusters of symptoms thought to characterize lower limb lymphedema. The initial work was conducted to propose and assess the face validity of the clusters. Subsequently, work was undertaken to empirically evaluate the presence of the symptom clusters, assess the reliability of the cluster scores, and evaluate the validity of the scores by studying associations with other valid measures. ⋯ The LSIDS-L is a valid tool for detecting and quantifying symptom burden in patients with lower limb lymphedema.
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Background: Bioimpedance spectroscopy detects unilateral lymphedema if the ratio of extracellular fluid (ECF) between arms or between legs is outside three standard deviations (SDs) of the normative mean. Detection of bilateral lymphedema, common after bilateral breast or gynecological cancer, is complicated by the unavailability of an unaffected contralateral limb. The objectives of this work were to (1) present normative values for interarm, interleg, and arm-to-leg impedance ratios of ECF and ECF normalized to intracellular fluid (ECF/ICF); (2) evaluate the influence of sex, age, and body mass index on ratios; and (3) describe the normal change in ratios within healthy individuals over time. ⋯ Arm-to-leg ratios were significantly affected by sex, age, and body mass index. Mean normative change ranged from 7.2% to 14.7% for ECF ratios and from 14.7% to 67.1% for ECF/ICF ratios. Conclusion: These findings provide the necessary platform for extending bioimpedance-based screening beyond unilateral lymphedema.