Evaluation of abdominal fat ratio in breast cancer- related lymphedema patients; controlled study

Recent studies indicate that chronic inflammation is also important in lymphedema allied to mechanical obstructive causes. Chronic inflammation is among the etiological factors of metabolic syndrome. In the last 10 years, there are studies showing that central fat ratio is more important than Body Mass Index (BMI). Metabolic syndrome criteria have changed in this direction. In the light of this information, when evaluated together with BMI and chronic inflammation, central adiposity is thought to be a more important parameter for lymphedema than BMI. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of intra-abdominal adiposity on lymphedema. The study was conducted with 36 people and patients between the ages of 18-75 were divided into 2 groups. During the evaluations, arm circumference measurement was made to determine the edema and volume analysis calculated from circumference measurement was used. The diagnosis of lymphedema was made when the circumference difference between two arms was more than 2 cm and there was a volume difference of more than 10%. TANITA BC418 body bioimpedance device was used to determine the body fat. In addition, patients who applied to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation polyclinic for lymphedema evaluation after breast cancer were also included in the study. As a result of the evaluations, 2 groups were formed by patients diagnosed with lymphedema and those who did not. Each group consists of 18 people. As a result of the study, it was concluded that abdominal circumference measurement is a more important parameter than BMI.