Lymphedema in patients in different BMI ranges and therapeutic response to intensive treatment

Abstract

lymphedema in different body mass index (BMI) ranges (25 to 30, 30 to 40 and > 40 kg/m²). A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 59 patients with grade III lower limb lymphedema (elephantiasis) who arrived consecutively at the Godoy Clinic in São Jose do Rio Preto, Brazil. The diagnosis was based on the clinical history, physical examination as well as intracellular and extracellular volumes, which were determined using electrical bioimpedance analysis (InBody S10 device). Statistical analysis involved the paired t-test and Kruskal-Wallis test with the Conover-Inman post hoc test, considering an alpha error of 5%. Results: Significant increases in intracellular and extracellular water were detected with the increase in BMI range. Intensive treatment led to significant reductions in intracellular and extracellular water in all BMI ranges, with the exception of intracellular water in the 25-to-30 kg/m² range.

Key words: Lymphedema, obesity, body mass index, bioimpedance, treatment.