{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Prevalence and characteristics of lymphoedema at a wound-care clinic.
{Author}: Wang W;Keast DH;
{Journal}: J Wound Care
{Volume}: 25
{Issue}: 4
{Year}: Apr 2016
{Factor}: 2.066
{DOI}: 10.12968/jowc.2016.25.Sup4.S11
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Lymphoedema is estimated to affect up to 300,000 Canadians but remains underrecognised and undertreated. A retrospective chart review was conducted to determine the clinical characteristics and treatment practices of lymphoedema in a Canadian wound care clinic.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>Data were collected retrospectively from dictated clinic notes of 326 lymphoedema patients at a wound clinic in a regional rehabilitation hospital.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>The mean age (±SD) of diagnosis was 66.8 (±15.5). Patients had 7.3 (±3.3) comorbidities and took 8.4 (±4.6) concomitant medications. The most common comorbidities were venous disease (73%), hypertension (60%), and obesity (46%). Clinic patients were less likely to be women, have arm lymphoedema, or have cancer-related aetiology compared with previous studies, reflecting a two-tiered model of care delivery in the area. Treatments prescribed by the clinic were consistent best practice recommendations for conservative treatment.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>A significant proportion of the wound clinic's patients had lymphoedema. Lack of resources, lack of awareness among primary care providers, and patient adherence are barriers to lymphoedema care.