title: Upper limb function and quality of life in breast cancer related lymphedema: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One of the most frequent impairments in breast cancer survivors is secondary lymphedema of the upper limbs. Several impairments and activity limitations frequently occur in these patients leading to participation restrictions and influencing Quality of Life.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate upper limb disability and perceived Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in a group of women with breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) compared with a group without lymphedema.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional survey.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cancer outpatient's department of the National Cancer Institute of Naples Foundation "G. Pascale".
  
  
  METHODS
  100 women treated with unilateral axillary lymphoadenectomy: 50 with unilateral BCRL (group A), and 50 without lymphedema (group B).
  
  
  METHODS
  Arm function was assessed by the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH). The perceived HRQoL was evaluated with SF-12.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean DASH score was 36.59 (±18.03) in group A, and 23.68 (±21.46) in group B (P<0.002). Age less than 65 years, BMI≥30, the presence of comorbidities and radical mastectomy had an influence on the extent of the functional limitation, linked to the presence of the lymphedema. There were no statistically significant differences for SF-12 scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our population the presence of BCRL certainly affects upper limb functioning and related activities even though HRQoL was not perceived differently.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lymphedema has to be early diagnosed and treated with an adequate rehabilitative plan to prevent activity limitations and participation restrictions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Quality of Life, National Cancer Institute and "G. Pascale" Foundation of Naples, Naples, Italy - m.pinto@istitutotumori.na.it.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gimigliano
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tatangelo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Megna
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Izzo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gimigliano
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Iolascon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008197:Lymph Node Excision / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000209:etiology*; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000145:classification; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery