title: Prevalence and characteristics of lymphoedema at a wound-care clinic.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Lymphoedema is estimated to affect up to 300,000 Canadians but remains underrecognised and undertreated. A retrospective chart review was conducted to determine the clinical characteristics and treatment practices of lymphoedema in a Canadian wound care clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected retrospectively from dictated clinic notes of 326 lymphoedema patients at a wound clinic in a regional rehabilitation hospital.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age (±SD) of diagnosis was 66.8 (±15.5). Patients had 7.3 (±3.3) comorbidities and took 8.4 (±4.6) concomitant medications. The most common comorbidities were venous disease (73%), hypertension (60%), and obesity (46%). Clinic patients were less likely to be women, have arm lymphoedema, or have cancer-related aetiology compared with previous studies, reflecting a two-tiered model of care delivery in the area. Treatments prescribed by the clinic were consistent best practice recommendations for conservative treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A significant proportion of the wound clinic's patients had lymphoedema. Lack of resources, lack of awareness among primary care providers, and patient adherence are barriers to lymphoedema care.
authors.affiliation: Western University 1151 Richmond Street London, Ontario N6A 3K7 Canada.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Parkwood, Institute Research Parkwood Institute, Main Building, Suite B3-187A 550 Wellington Road London ON, Canada.
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Keast
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002481:Cellulitis / Q000209:etiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D058128:Compression Bandages; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000209:etiology; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010349:Patient Compliance; D015995:Prevalence; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017592:Skin Care; D053828:Stockings, Compression; D014456:Ulcer / Q000209:etiology; D014689:Venous Insufficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*
keywords: complex oedema; obesity; retrospective chart review; secondary lymphoedema; venous disease