WHAT IS THE PSYCHOLOGICAL AND QUALITY OF LIFE IMPACT OF NONTREATMENT OR UNDERTREATMENT IN LYMPHEDEMA? - LYMPHATIC VASCULAR DISEASE – Pediatric and Primary Lymphedema – Secondary Lymphedema – Lymphatic Filariasis & Podoconiosis – Best First Line Treatment – Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT)

Psychological stress factors in Lymphedema should be taken into consideration regarding the Quality of Life (QoL) indicators of individuals. Lymphedema is not in itself a psychopathology, nor does it predispose individuals to poor mental health. The negative situation of non-treatment or under-treatment of lymphedema leads to increased disease progression and, contributes to the cycle of disability, disfigurement, social stigmatization, poverty, suffering, and thus, the associated burden on the physical, economic, social, and psychological well-being of individuals. Read more information about what is the best treatment for lymphedema HERE.

With regard to Lymphedema due to filariasis, the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI), and the Lymphatic Filariasis Quality of Life Questionnaire (LFSQQ), to assess the perceived Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of individuals after participation in lymphedema management, should include if patients have access to proper treatment, if patients are undertreated, and also if patients have access to wearable compression garments. Individuals that have access to antiseptic creams and antibiotic medication will obviously notice improvement, but this can not be considered a real improvement in quality of life scores, because these solutions are not tackling the underlying lymphatic dysfunction problem, and in the long run, without compression therapy and garments, the condition will continue to get worse for the majority of patients, as well as the consequent multiple psycho-social problems. 

The imperative placed on some patients regarding acceptance and compliance with low-cost treatment options can be questionable at an ethical and Human Rights level, for these management options are in many cases ineffective in reducing the edema volume, or they can even have serious long term side effects, which may, in turn, be the cause of furthermore psychological stress and impaired health-related Quality of Life (QoL). Read more information about psychological aspects surrounding non-treatment or undertreatment of lymphedema HERE.

REFERENCES

(Pinch on the texts to read the following Research Articles)

SCIENTIFIC SOCIETIES

• GERMAN SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY GUIDELINE: Diagnostics and Therapy of Lymphoedema.
• THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF LYMPHOLOGY: Consensus Document.

DIAGNOSE AND TREATMENT

• LYMPHATIC SYSTEM IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
• BLOOD AND LYMPH DISEASES
• LYMPHATIC MEDICINE: Paradoxically and Unnecessarily Ignored
• CHRONIC OEDEMA/LYMPHEDEMA: Under-recognized and Under-treated
• LYMPHEDEMA: From Diagnose to Treatment
• CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT OF LYMPHEDEMA OF THE LIMBS (Foldi)
• MODERN TREATMENT OF LYMPHEDEMA. Complex Physical Therapy.
• EFFECTIVENESS AND SAFETY OF COMPLETE DECONGESTIVE THERAPY
• VISUALIZATION OF ACCESSORY LYMPHATIC PATHWAYS AFTER MANUAL LYMPHATIC DRAINAGE
• LYMPHATIC SYSTEM AND THE SKIN. Classification, Clinical Aspects, and Histology.
• INDICATIONS FOR MEDICAL COMPRESSION STOCKINGS IN VENOUS AND LYMPHATIC DISORDERS: An Evidence-Based Consensus Statement.

• LYMPHATIC MANAGEMENT: An International Interest between Developed and Developing Countries, Similarities, differences, and Challenges.
• CRITERIA FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF COMBINED DECONGESTIVE PHYSIOTHERAPY OF LYMPHEDEMA IN A COUNTRY
• THE RISK OF GENITAL EDEMA. External Pump Compression for Lower Limb Lymphedema
• WHAT IS THE ROLE OF EXCISIONAL SURGERY IN THE TREATMENT OF LYMPHEDEMA

INFECTIONS

• INFECTIOUS COMPLICATIONS OF LYMPHEDEMA
• ACUTE INFLAMMATORY EXACERBATIONS IN LYMPHEDEMA
• LYMPHEDEMATOUS AREAS: Privileged sites for Tumors, Infections, and Immune Disorders
• MALIGNANT TUMORS: As Complications of Lymphedema

PEDIATRIC AND PRIMARY LYMPHEDEMA

• NORD: Rare Disease Database. Lymphedema
• AN APPROACH TO FAMILIAL LYMPHOEDEMA
• PRIMARY LYMPHEDEMA
• PEDIATRIC CHILDREN LYMPHEDEMA: A Retrospective Chart Review of 86 Cases

ELEPHANTIASIS

• NEGLECTED PATIENTS WITH A NEGLECTED DISEASE? A Qualitative Study of Lymphatic Filariasis
• BEFORE THE PROBLEM BECOMES ELEPHANTIASIS: How to Solve Lymphatic Congestion
• LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS: An Infection of Childhood

PODOCONIOSIS

• PODOCONIOSIS, a Neglected Tropical Disease
• PODOCONIOSIS, a Society and Medical Community Neglected Disease.
• PODOCONIOSIS, a Neglected Cause of Tropical Lymphoedema
• A HUMAN RIGHT TO SHOES. Establishing Rights and Duties in the Prevention and Treatment of Podoconiosis.

PUBLIC HEALTH AND PATIENTS´ RIGHTS

• ETHICS IN CONTEMPORARY HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT AND MEDICAL EDUCATION
• IMPACT OF POLITICAL ECONOMY ON POPULATION HEALTH
• PUBLIC HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN PRACTICE
• PATIENT´S RIGHTS AND ETHICS
• CRITICAL READING OF THE STATISTICAL DATA IN SCIENTIFIC STUDIES
• MANAGING FINANCIAL CONFLICT OF INTERESTS IN RESEARCH
• CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS IN MEDICINE:  A NEVER-ENDING STORY
• POTENTIAL BENEFITS, LIMITATIONS, AND HARMS OF CLINICAL GUIDELINES

Articles that may also interest you: 
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• FOCUS ON THE TERM ELEPHANTIASIS AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR LYMPHOEDEMA 

• WHAT ARE THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO AVOID INFECTIOUS CELLULITIS AND LYMPHANGITIS IN LYMPHEDEMA 

• WHAT IS THE RISK OF DERMATOLYMPHANGIOADENITIS (INFECTIOUS CELLULITIS IN LYMPHEDEMA 

• WHAT IS THE BEST TREATMENT OPTION FOR ELEPHANTIASIS

• WHY IS ELEPHANTIASIS A FORGOTTEN AND NEGLECTED DISEASE

• IS THERE DISTRESS ASSOCIATED WITH UNDER-TREATMENT OF LYMPHEDEMA - PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES

• WHY IS THE WORLD NOT TREATING A TREATABLE DISEASE LIKE LYMPHEDEMA. 

• WHAT IS THE BEST TREATMENT OPTION FOR LYMPHEDEMA

• IS LYMPHEDEMA DISABLING - INABILITY TO WORK AND DISABILITY RECOGNITION 

• INTERNATIONAL AWARENESS CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE CORRECT TREATMENT FOR LYMPHEDEMA

• ELEPHANTIASIS IS NOT ONLY LYMPHATIC FILARIASIS 

• CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT CHILD ELEPHANTIASIS DUE TO PRIMARY AND SECONDARY LYMPHEDEMA 

• BEWARE OF NEW TERMINOLOGY DESCRIBING LYMPHEDEMA TREATMENT

• WHAT KIND OF DOCTOR TREATS LYMPHEDEMA/LYMPHOEDEMA - WHICH MEDICAL SPECIALITIES ARE RELATED TO LYMPHEDEMA

• FAST TRACK SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY RECOGNITION FOR CHILDREN WITH LYMPHEDEMA

• INTERMITTENT PNEUMATIC COMPRESSION (IPC) PUMP DEVICES. SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS POR LYMPHEDEMA

• BEST PRACTICE PROTOCOL GUIDE FOR LYMPHOEDEMA (in Galician)

• A LYMPHEDEMA STORY - DOCTOR KENNETH GERSHENGORN AND THE MAUREEN DIGAN CLINICAL CASE

• WHY IS A BUTTERFLY THE SYMBOL FOR LYMPHEDEMA

• LYMPHEDEMA - INTERNATIONAL DISEASE CODING AND CLASSIFICATION

• WHAT DOES INTERMITTENT PNEUMATIC COMPRESSION PUMP THERAPY (IPC) DO, AND DOES NOT DO FOR LYMPHEDEMA. 

• WHAT IS PHLEBOLYMPHEDEMA.

• IS LYMPHEDEMA PAINFUL?

• WHICH COUNTRY PROVIDES THE BEST LYMPHOEDEMA TREATMENT COVERAGE 

• WHAT IS THE BEST TREATMENT OPTION FOR PAEDIATRIC AND PRIMARY LYMPHOEDEMA

• SPANISH LYMPHEDEMA ASSOCIATIONS – SPANISH NATIONAL FEDERATION OF LYMPHEDEMA ASSOCIATIONS

LYMPHEDEMA INCIDENCE 
AND PREVALENCE
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