Rockson SG, Rivera KK, et al.
Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. Date of publication 2008 Jan 1;volume 1131():147-54.
1. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2008;1131:147-54. doi: 10.1196/annals.1413.014.
Estimating the population burden of lymphedema.
Rockson SG(1), Rivera KK.
Author information:
(1)Stanford Center for Lymphatic and Venous Disorders, Division of Cardiovascular
Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA
94305, USA. srockson@cvmed.stanford.edu
Lymphedema is a complex, regional edematous state that ensues when lymph
transport is insufficient to maintain tissue homeostasis. The disorder is
remarkably prevalent, but the population implications of lymphatic dysfunction
are not well-studied. Prevalence estimates for lymphedema are relatively high,
yet its prevalence is likely underestimated. The ability to estimate the burden
of disease poses profound implications for current and future lymphedema
patients, but the challenge to correctly surmise the incidence and prevalence of
lymphedema is complex and the relevant medical literature is scanty. In the
absence of the highly desired, prospectively designed and rigorously performed
relevant epidemiologic studies, it is instructive to look at the existing studies
of lymphedema disease burden. In the current review, the extant literature is
examined in the context of the disease setting in which tissue edema is
encountered. Incidence or prevalence estimates are provided or inferred, and,
where feasible, the size of the subject population is also identified. It is
extremely attractive to contemplate that future approaches will entail formal,
prospectively designed studies to objectively quantitate incidence and prevalence
statistics for individual categories, as well as for the global lymphedema
population.
DOI: 10.1196/annals.1413.014
PMID: 18519968 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
