Assessment of quality of life changes in patients with lower extremity lymphedema using an advanced pneumatic compression device at home

A non-randomized, open-label study of the safety and effectiveness of a novel non-pneumatic compression device (NPCD) for lower limb lymphedema

“…Cellulitis is common among those with LEL, with previous studies reporting occurrences in 30% to 72% of patients, and often with recurrences 3 – 5 . The use of compression devices can reduce the risk of cellulitis and help to avoid costly healthcare encounters 14 – 17 in addition to decreasing edema volume 20 . LEL is associated with significant detriments to QOL 6 – 9 , and patients express difficulty maintaining physical activity 6 , 7 , 9 , 10 , which is problematic given that physical exercise can increase the effectiveness of compression treatment 18 .…”

“…Treatment goals include preventing disease progression, maintaining limb size, and avoiding skin infections, and often include compression and exercise 2 , 13 . Pneumatic compression has been shown to reduce infections and cellulitis and save costs through the avoidance of complications and healthcare encounters 14 – 17 . A prospective study of LEL patients observed a 32% decrease in cellulitis, 26% reduction in hospitalization, and 24% decrease in the need for physical therapy associated with the use of pneumatic compression 15 .…”

Compression for Lower Extremity Venous Disease and Lymphedema (CLEVDAL)

“…The Flexitouch APCD resulted in initial significant limb girth reduction as early as 12 weeks and a sustained improvement in QOL for 1 year or less. 7 In 2020, Alvarez and colleagues 34 conducted a prospective RCT of 52 subjects with CVI with prolonged healing of VLUs who were treated with either IPC (n = 27) with standard compression therapy (treatment group) or compression therapy alone (control group). Compression therapy consisted of a nonadherent primary wound dressing plus a 4-layer compression bandage (N = 25).…”

“…5,6 When left untreated, lymphedema is associated with a high risk of morbidity including wounds, recurrent episodes of cellulitis, deep vein thrombosis, lymphangiosarcoma, decreased quality of life (QOL), and increased health care costs for frequent clinic visits and recurrent hospitalizations. 7 The Executive Committee of the International Society of Lymphology (ISL) updated their consensus document 8 in 2020 on the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral lymphedema. The document emphasizes the importance of meticulous skin care (eg, frequent skin cleansing, using low pH lotions, and emollients).…”

“…A body mass index (BMI) of more than 50 kg/m 2 may lead to the development of lymphedema 5,6. When left untreated, lymphedema is associated with a high risk of morbidity including wounds, recurrent episodes of cellulitis, deep vein thrombosis, lymphangiosarcoma, decreased quality of life (QOL), and increased health care costs for frequent clinic visits and recurrent hospitalizations 7…”