The Effects of Obesity on Lymphatic Pain and Swelling in Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

Lymphatic pain and swelling due to lymph fluid accumulation are the most common and debilitating long-term adverse effects of cancer treatment. This study aimed to quantify the effects of obesity on lymphatic pain, arm, and truncal swelling. Methods: A sample of 554 breast cancer patients were enrolled in the study. Body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, and body fat mass were measured using a bioimpedance device. Obesity was defined as a BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2. The Breast Cancer and Lymphedema Symptom Experience Index was used to measure lymphatic pain, arm, and truncal swelling. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) to quantify the effects of obesity. Results: Controlling for clinical and demographic characteristics as well as body fat percentage, obesity had the greatest effects on lymphatic pain (OR 3.49, 95% CI 1.87–6.50; p < 0.001) and arm swelling (OR 3.98, 95% CI 1.82–4.43; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Obesity is a significant risk factor for lymphatic pain and arm swelling in breast cancer patients. Obesity, lymphatic pain, and swelling are inflammatory conditions. Future study should explore the inflammatory pathways and understand the molecular mechanisms to find a cure.

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“…Se sabe que el estrés psicosocial es un factor predisponente y de riesgo potencial para presentar y exacerbar los síntomas de la DP por somatización del evento desencadenante (1,40,52,53), por lo que no es una coincidencia que la mayor parte de las estudiantes en este estudio pertenezca a la facultad de medicina, cuyo estilo de vida es particularmente estresante, más que otras carreras, como ha sido reportado por varios autores (47,54). Esto se ha visto reforzado sobre todo en estos últimos años, considerando las grandes demandas académicas que atraviesan en su día a día, laborales y emocionales durante las pasantías, la paralización frecuente de las clases presenciales, las tomas de decisiones constantes frente al sufrimiento de los pacientes asignados, insatisfacción con la elección universitaria y profesional, así como las condiciones de los puestos de trabajo a nivel hospitalario y en las aulas de clases, carentes de recursos básicos, en su gran mayoría, y ahora agregándose la pandemia por la COVID-19, lo que hace que la población de los profesionales de la salud, incluyendo a los estudiantes, sea caracterizada como vulnerable al momento de somatizar y exacerbar signos y síntomas presentes (54)(55)(56)(57)(58)(59).…”

Development of a Mobile-Based Self-care Application for Patients with Breast Cancer-Related Lymphedema in Iran

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