Impact of climatic variations on lymphoedema: an international comparison.

Abstract

Background: Lymphoedema is a chronic condition that requires ongoing, daily management. It can have a significant impact on an individual's quality of life and comes with a high personal and health service cost. Lymphoedema is a highly dynamic disease requiring constant adaptation of management techniques to prevent worsening of the symptoms.

Aims: To understand differences in lymphoedema management across the changing seasons in Germany and Australia.

Methods: Focus groups were conducted in Germany with people living with lymphoedema by following a phenomenological approach. Outcomes were compared to those from focus groups previously conducted with people in Australia.

Findings: There were high similarities between countries, with most participants reporting that heat and humidity caused increased challenges in managing lymphoedema, namely that the affected limb felt heavier, more swollen and caused increased lethargy. European participants tended to do more self-bandaging and more regular therapy appointments than their Australian counterparts.

Conclusions: All participants reported needing to consider the weather in planning their daily activities, with a large range of strategies implemented to keep their swelling in check and prevent further decline.

Implications for practice: Further research in this area will subsequently contribute to treatment recommendations and may benefit production of new materials that can, in the light of predicted climate change, prepare for the future.