title: Application of the L-Dex Score for the Assessment of Bilateral Leg Edema.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We evaluated a modified L-Dex score by using the right arm as a reference (LDSrarm), to determine whether it could be used for the assessment of leg edema in place of the usual L-Dex score calculated by using the contralateral normal leg as a reference (LDScont).
  
  
  METHODS
  Bioimpedance analysis was performed in the legs and right arms of 38 patients with unilateral leg edema and in 42 healthy volunteers by using a standard equipotential electrode arrangement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The impedance ratio in the right arms of patients (2.6 ± 0.4) was lower than that in their contralateral normal legs (3.0 ± 0.8, p < 0.05), but it was similar to that in the legs (right: 2.4 ± 0.7, left 2.5 ± 0.8) of normal subjects. There was a significant correlation between LDScontand LDSrarmin legs with edema (right: r = 0.80, left: r = 0.93). No such correlation was found in the legs of normal subjects, but the mean ± 2 standard deviation of their LDSrarmranged from -3 to 37, which was similar to LDSrarmvalues in legs with edema corresponding to the normal range of LDScont(-10 to 10), that is, from 1 to 34.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LDSrarmcould be used as an alternative for LDScontin the assessment of leg edema.
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery and Clinical Science, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine , Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan .
authors.forename: Kotaro
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suehiro
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery and Clinical Science, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine , Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan .
authors.forename: Noriyasu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Morikage
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery and Clinical Science, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine , Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan .
authors.forename: Takasuke
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Harada
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery and Clinical Science, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine , Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan .
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Samura
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery and Clinical Science, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine , Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan .
authors.forename: Yuriko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takeuchi
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery and Clinical Science, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine , Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan .
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mizoguchi
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery and Clinical Science, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine , Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan .
authors.forename: Kaori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.affiliation: Division of Vascular Surgery, Department of Surgery and Clinical Science, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine , Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan .
authors.forename: Kimikazu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hamano
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004487:Edema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D017097:Electric Impedance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008209:Lymphedema / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
keywords: bioimpedance analysis; lymphedema; venous insufficiency