title: Can ICF model for patients with breast-cancer-related lymphedema predict quality of life?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to investigate if the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model with clinical data from patients with breast-cancer-related lymphedema can predict their health-related quality of life (HRQL).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-one patients with breast-cancer-related lymphedema were recruited. Data were collected from records, including age, type(s) of surgery, number of dissected lymph nodes and history of radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy, duration of lymphedema, and duration between surgery and enrollment. Excessive arm volume, average arm symptom, function of upper extremity (U/E), and HRQL were assessed four times during and after patients' treatment of lymphedema.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ICF model accounted for 20.5% to 55.6% variance in each domain of HRQL. Activity and participation reflected by U/E function were the most important factor, significantly predicting every domain of HRQL. Among measured impairments, average arm symptom was found to be most correlated with U/E function (r = 0.590, P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ICF model consisting of clinical measures for patients with breast-cancer-related lymphedema can predict their HRQL. Activity and participation were the most important component. Arm symptoms rather than arm volume significantly correlated with U/E function. This might suggest that reducing arm symptoms is relatively more important while treating patients with breast-cancer-related lymphedema.
authors.affiliation: School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jau-Yih
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Tsauo
authors.forename: Hsiu-Chuan
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Hung
authors.forename: Han-Ju
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Chiun-Sheng
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000473:pathology; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D013997:Time Factors