12 research outputs found
Recommended from our members
LIMPRINT: prevalence of chronic edema in health services in Copenhagen, Denmark
Background: The International Lymphedema Framework developed an international study, Lymphedema Impact and Prevalence International (LIMPRINT) to estimate the prevalence and impact of chronic edema in heterogeneous populations.
Methods and results: A validation study using the LIMPRINT methodology was undertaken in Denmark. Participants with CO were identified from in-patient services and compared to those identified within a specialist lymphoedema service and 3 primary care settings. Of 452 inpatients available for screening CO was present in 177(39%) and absent in 275(61%). In addition, 723 participants were found from specialist and primary care services (LPCS). In-patients were significantly older and more likely to be underweight or normal weight. They were more likely to suffer from heart failure/IHD (44.6% vs 23.4%, p<0.001) and have neurological problems (18.1% vs 10.9% p=0.009). The inpatient group were nearly all suffering from secondary Lymphoedema and were less likely to have a cancer or venous diagnosis, but more likely to have immobility as the cause of CO (44.0% vs 17.7%, p<0.001). No in-patients had midline CO compared to 30 within LPCS. Fewer in the in-patient group had standard CO treatment (17.1% vs 73.5%, p<0.001) and subjective control of swelling was worse (19.9% vs 66.7%, p<0.001). Whilst the in-patient group experienced fewer acute infections, when they did so, they were more likely to be admitted to hospital for this (78.6% vs 51.0%, p=0.049).
Conclusion: The prevalence of CO in inpatient facilities is high and those with CO have multiple comorbidities that vary according to setting. The feasibility study showed the methodology could be adapted for use in different health systems