Breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL) is a chronic condition that affects more than 1 in 5 breast cancer survivors. It causes swelling, pain, and reduced arm function, which can significantly impact quality of life. This study aims to evaluate how breast cancer survivors perceive their swelling, and whether this perception aligns with actual physical measurements. The investigation will examine how this perception gap relates to quality of life. The findings may help inform the development of more personalized care strategies to support both the physical and emotional well-being of women living with BCRL.
This study focuses on identifying factors that influence health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). Prior studies have shown that the subjective burden of swelling and psychological responses may affect HRQoL more than objective clinical severity. However, the role of perception-objective congruence-whether participants' awareness of swelling matches actual physical measurements-has not been well explored. The investigators will analyze the impact of this perception gap on functional and emotional outcomes. Participants will be grouped based on whether their perception of swelling aligns with objective limb volume measurements. HRQoL differences across these subgroups will be assessed using validated instruments. The goal is to provide evidence that will inform strategies to promote accurate symptom awareness, effective self-management, and better quality of life in BCRL survivors.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
203
Samsung Medical Center
Seoul, Republic of Korea, South Korea
Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire (LYMQOL-Arm)
Health Related Quality of Life(HRQoL) was assessed using the Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire(LYMQOL), which comprises four domains: function (three items), appearance (five items), symptoms (six items), and mood (six items), scored on a 4-point Likert scale (1-4; higher scores indicate greater impairment). The domain scores were calculated as the average of the scores for all items within each domain. The LYMQOL also includes a single overall QoL item, which is scored on a scale from 0 (poor) to 10 (excellent)
Time frame: baseline
1. Age
Demographic data All anonymized clinical data were extracted from medical records in the Clinical Data Warehouse.
Time frame: baseline
2. Sex
All anonymized clinical data were extracted from medical records in the Clinical Data Warehouse.
Time frame: baseline
3. Body Mass Index (BMI)
Demographic data Weight and height will be combined to report BMI (kg/m2) All anonymized clinical data were extracted from medical records in the Clinical Data Warehouse.
Time frame: baseline
4. Place of residence
Demographic data (1) Metropolitan area, (2) Non- metropolitan area All anonymized clinical data were extracted from medical records in the Clinical Data Warehouse.
Time frame: baseline
5. Careers
Demographic data Careers: Yes/No All anonymized clinical data were extracted from medical records in the Clinical Data Warehouse.
Time frame: baseline
6. Marital status
Demographic data (0) Unmarried (Single/Widowed/Divorced), (1) Married All anonymized clinical data were extracted from medical records in the Clinical Data Warehouse.
Time frame: baseline
7. Number of comorbidities
Demographic data All anonymized clinical data were extracted from medical records in the Clinical Data Warehouse.
Time frame: baseline
1. Time since breast cancer surgery
data regarding cancer surgery and treatment 1\. Time since breast cancer surgery : years All anonymized clinical data were extracted from medical records in the Clinical Data Warehouse.
Time frame: baseline
2. Breact cancer stage
data regarding cancer surgery and treatment Breact cancer stage : AJCC stage All anonymized clinical data were extracted from medical records in the Clinical Data Warehouse.
Time frame: baseline
3. Chemotherapy
data regarding cancer surgery and treatment 3. Chemotherapy : Yes/No All anonymized clinical data were extracted from medical records in the Clinical Data Warehouse.
Time frame: baseline
4. Radiotherapy
data regarding cancer surgery and treatment 4. Radiotherapy : Yes/No All anonymized clinical data were extracted from medical records in the Clinical Data Warehouse.
Time frame: baseline
5. Hormone therapy
data regarding cancer surgery and treatment 5. Hormone therapy : Yes/No All anonymized clinical data were extracted from medical records in the Clinical Data Warehouse.
Time frame: baseline
1. Time since lymphedema diagnosis
Lymphedema factors (medical records) 1\. Time since lymphedema diagnosis : years All anonymized clinical data were extracted from medical records in the Clinical Data Warehouse.
Time frame: baseline
2. Lymphedema in dominant hand
Lymphedema factors (medical records) 2. Lymphedema in dominant hand : Yes/No All anonymized clinical data were extracted from medical records in the Clinical Data Warehouse.
Time frame: baseline
3. Lymphedema location
Lymphedema factors (medical records) 3. Lymphedema location : Localized/Whole-arm All anonymized clinical data were extracted from medical records in the Clinical Data Warehouse.
Time frame: baseline
4. Complex Decongestive therapy
Lymphedema factors (medical records) 4. Complex Decongestive therapy : Yes/No All anonymized clinical data were extracted from medical records in the Clinical Data Warehouse.
Time frame: baseline
5. perometer
Lymphedema factors (medical records) 5. Limb volume was measured by perometer (Perometer®, Pero-System, Germany) : A perometer is a medical device used to measure limb volume accurately and non-invasively. It employs infrared light beams or optoelectronic sensors to scan the circumference of an extremity, such as an arm or leg, and calculates the overall volume based on these measurements. This tool is commonly used to assess swelling in conditions like lymphedema and to monitor changes over time. All anonymized clinical data were extracted from medical records in the Clinical Data Warehouse.
Time frame: baseline
1. Physical activity level
Lymphedema factors (patient-reported) 1\. Physical activity level : Patient self-reported physical activity level categorized as limited in activities of daily living, not limited in activities of daily living, or able to participate in sports. Data collected through questions asked during clinical visits. All anonymized clinical data were extracted from medical records in the Clinical Data Warehouse.
Time frame: baseline
2. Lymphedema factors (patient-reported)
Lymphedema factors (patient-reported) 2. Self-care adherence : Patient self-reported adherence to wearing compression stockings categorized as not wearing, wearing occasionally, or wearing regularly (including non-prescribed use). Data collected through questions asked during clinical visits. All anonymized clinical data were extracted from medical records in the Clinical Data Warehouse.
Time frame: baseline
3. Subjective swelling severity
Lymphedema factors (patient-reported) 3. Subjective swelling severity : Patient-rated swelling severity of the right/left arm on a numeric rating scale from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no swelling and 10 indicates extremely severe swelling. Higher scores indicate worse Data collected via a survey asking, "How much do you think your right/left arm is swollen?". All anonymized clinical data were extracted from medical records in the Clinical Data Warehouse.
Time frame: baseline
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