Can ICF model for patients with breast-cancer-related lymphedema predict quality of life?
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.
Tsauo
Jau-Yih
JY
School and Graduate Institute of Physical Therapy, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Hung
Hsiu-Chuan
HC
Tsai
Han-Ju
HJ
Huang
Chiun-Sheng
CS
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