Table 2 Clinical characteristics of total group and according to presence of clinician-determined BCRL
Characteristic | Total group (N = 40) | Lymphoedema present (N = 12) | No current swelling (N = 28) | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Clinical symptoms present, N (%) | ||||
Decreased vein visibility | 5 (13) | 5 (42) | 0 | |
Increased skin/subcutaneous thickness | 4 (10) | 4 (33) | 0 | |
Fullness of tissues | 15 (38) | 12 (100) | 3 (11) | |
Pitting oedema | 2 (5) | 2 (17) | 0 | |
Patient reported symptoms, N (%)s | ||||
Pain | 9 (23) | 3 (25) | 6 (21) | |
Ache | 5 (13) | 3 (25) | 2 (7) | |
Heaviness | 8 (20) | 4 (33) | 4 (14) | |
ELV, ml (median, LQ, UQ) | 1.5 (−63.5, 144) | 120 (71.75, 171.75) | −49 (−97, 105.5) | 0.001 |
% ELV | 0.07 (−3.14, 5.71) | 4.81 (2.65, 8.51) | −2.36 (−4.65, 3.47) | 0.001 |
Limb volume difference (N = 39), N (%) | ||||
<5 % ELV | 27 (69) | 6 (50) | 21 (78) | |
≥5 < 10 % ELV | 10 (26) | 4 (33) | 6 (22) | |
≥10 % ELV | 2 (5) | 2 (17) | *1 pt not measured | |
Overall quality of life (LQ21 score) (best = 10, worst = 0) | 8 (7.75, 9) | 9 (8, 9) | 8 (7, 9) | 0.028 |
Physical domain (LQ F) (best = 10, worst = 40) | 11 (10, 14) | 12.5 (10.25, 14) | 11 (10, 13) | >0.05 |
Appearance/body image domain (LQ A) (best = 5, worst = 20) | 5 (5, 6) | 6.5 (5.25, 7.75) | 5 (5, 5) | 0.028 |
Symptoms domain (LQ S) (best = 6, worst = 24) | 8.5 (7, 11) | 10 (7, 12) | 8 (7.25, 11.75) | >0.05 |
Mood domain (LQ E) (best = 6, worst = 24) | 10 (7, 11) | 8 (7, 10) | 10 (7.25, 11.75) | >0.05 |
QD score (best = 0, worst = 99) | 15.91 (5.11, 22.73) | 18.18 (7.39, 22.73) | 12.5 (4.55, 24.43) | >0.05 |