W Wang1, D H Keast2. 1. Western University 1151 Richmond Street London, Ontario N6A 3K7 Canada. 2. Parkwood, Institute Research Parkwood Institute, Main Building, Suite B3-187A 550 Wellington Road London ON, Canada.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: 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. METHOD: Data were collected retrospectively from dictated clinic notes of 326 lymphoedema patients at a wound clinic in a regional rehabilitation hospital. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.
OBJECTIVE: 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. METHOD: Data were collected retrospectively from dictated clinic notes of 326 lymphoedema patients at a wound clinic in a regional rehabilitation hospital. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.