A contribution to the epidemiology of lymphoedema

As just little is known, this field study was performed to confirm already known facts and to gain new information regarding the epidemiology of lymphoedema. The data of 99 patients from Austria and Germany with diagnosis Lymphoedema were collected by means of questionnaires filled out by specially trained physicians and their patients. The results confirm a m : f ratio of 1 : 4.6, the predominant role of the lower extremities in comparison to the upper extremities, and breast cancer as main source for secondary lymphoedema. On the other hand, we found the primary lymphoedema to occur much more frequent than in previous studies (39.8%), and some other items that didn't get any proper attention, yet. Generally, lymphoedema is not known to be painful, but almost 70% of our patients report pain in the affected area and nearly half of them has to deal with a loss of function; just a third of our patients would describe themselves as not affected by any complications caused by the lymphoedema. As a result for many patients not only sportive activities are reduced, but also major problems concerning daily life and work may appear. It is not uncommon that patients are forced to quit, or at least have to change their job because of complications due to lymphoedema. Therefore, not only the disease itself, but also adverse effects have to be considered.