Estimation of the prevalence of lymphoedema/chronic oedema in acute hospital in-patients

Background: To estimate the prevalence of lymphoedema/chronic oedema and wounds in acute hospital in-patients in 5 different countries. Method: A point-prevalence study was carried out during working day periods in six general hospitals in four countries (Denmark, France, United Kingdom, Australia) and one hospital oncology in-patient unit in one other country (Ireland). The study used validated clinical tools for the assessment and collection of data. Data were collected by expert clinicians through interviews and physical examination of the patients present in the wards. Results: A total of 1905 patients could be included and investigated among the 3041 total bed occupancy in the seven hospitals. Lymphoedema/chronic oedema was present in 723 of them (38%). Main risk factors associated with chronic oedema were age, morbid obesity and heart failure as well as chair bound immobility and neurological deficiency. History of cellulitis was frequent in patients with chronic oedema and wounds (24.8%), chronic oedema alone (14.1%) as compared to the 1.5% prevalence in patients without chronic oedema. Conclusion: Lymphoedema/chronic oedema is very frequent in patients hospitalized in hospital acute wards. It is strongly associated with obesity, venous insufficiency and heart failure. Our results strongly suggest a hidden health care burden and cost linked to chronic oedema independently of chronic wounds