Depressive symptoms and their severity in a sample with lymphedema: a case–control investigation

Abstract

ObjectivesDepression is a condition that can be associated with other illnesses, especially chronic illnesses. Lower limb lymphedema is a chronic, disabling condition that can affect the quality of life and be related to psychological and psychosocial factors that interfere with people’s lives. This study aims to characterize and analyze the depressive symptoms and their severity reported by people with lower limb lymphedema and compare them with a matched group without lymphedema.MethodsA case–control study was carried out (n = 80) with participants divided into a case group (40 people with lower limb lymphedema) and a control group (40 people without lower limb lymphedema). Both groups were anthropometrically, sociodemographically, and clinically characterized. In the case group, a characterization of lymphedema was performed. Participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II.ResultsIndividuals with lower limb lymphedema have higher BDI-II scores than the matched group without lymphedema. Somatic depressive symptoms were, in general, the most reported and the ones with the highest scores. The depressive symptoms most reported by the case group were tiredness or fatigue, loss of energy, and changes in sleeping. Tiredness or fatigue, loss of energy, and loss of interest in sex were the most severe depressive symptoms reported by individuals with lower limb lymphedema.ConclusionConsidering the apparent tendency to depression, greater attention should be given to the mental health of people with lower limb lymphedema.

The relationship of kinesiophobia in patients with lymphedema: a case-control investigation

“…As previously mentioned, the relationship between pain and fear of movement has been widely studied, and this symptom may effectively be the determining factor for this difference. However, people with lymphedema may experience signs and symptoms, such as fatigue ( 18 , 52 , 53 ), decreased balance ( 19 , 27 , 54 ), reduced physical performance ( 17 , 19 ) fear of falling ( 27 , 55 ), and depression ( 26 , 56 – 61 ), and appear in the literature in association with kinesiophobia ( 9 , 18 , 19 , 26 , 27 , 31 ). Movement avoidance is common among people with fatigue regardless of the pathological condition creating it ( 18 , 62 – 64 ).…”

“…However, it is important to note that the somatic focus is characterized by a greater tendency to pay more attention or report physical symptoms, being associated with negative affect, especially anxiety and depression, in women (78). Another study analyzing the typology of depressive symptoms in people with lower limb lymphedema, had already recorded this tendency towards the somatization of symptoms, especially fatigue (61), suggesting that in this specific population health professionals should be particularly attentive to the manifestation of physical symptoms that express, in reality, negative affective states.…”