Resumo

ARAYA-CASTRO, Paulina; LEPPE, Jaime; IBANEZ, Gladys  e  SACOMORI, Cinara. Self-perception of upper limbs swelling and four diagnostic criteria for lymphedema in women treated for breast cancer. Invest. clín [online]. 2017, vol.58, n.2, pp.119-127. ISSN 0535-5133.

Self-perception of upper limbs swelling can be an effective tool in diagnostic and early intervention of lymphedema. The aim of the present paper was to verify the association between self-perception of swelling of upper extremities and objective criteria commonly used for lymphedema diagnostic in women treated for breast cancer. We evaluated 112 women with breast cancer between 6- and 18-months post-surgery. Indirect calculation of the volume of upper extremities through four criteria commonly used was employed (≥2 cm, ≥ 200 mL, ≥10%, ≥20%). The self-perception of swelling was evaluated with a question. The chi square test was used for data analysis. The mean age was 56.3 years (DE=13.1). The prevalence of lymphedema according to limb volume difference ≥ 200 ml criterion was 13.4%; 17% for criterion ≥10 %; 6.25% for criterion ≥ 20%; and 33% for criterion ≥2 cm. Stemmer was positive in 51.8% and 17.9% women presented positive fovea. Self-perception of swelling was associated with the criteria ≥ 200 mL and ≥10 % and the presence of positive Stemmer and fovea (p <0.05). In conclusion, the information provided by the patient about her perception of swelling, is associated with objective diagnostic criteria and the Stemmer and fovea positive signs. Self-perception should be considered in the clinical evaluation.

Palavras-chave : lymphedema; breast cancer; diagnostic tests; self-perception; volumetry.

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