Rate of occupational leg swelling is greater in the morning than in the afternoon

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the rate of occupational leg swelling depending on the time period of the working day. Volumetric variations of the legs of 70 hospital employees, enrolled in three groups, were evaluated. Group I: 35 morning shift workers; Group II: 35 afternoon shift workers; and Group III: 15 individuals randomly selected from Groups I and II, who were evaluated on the day they worked 12 hours consecutively. Volumetry was performed before and after each shift for both legs of the participants in Groups I and II. For Group III volumetry was performed early in the morning, at noon and in the evening. For statistical analysis, the Student's t-test and Mann-Whitney test were used with an alpha error of 5% being considered acceptable (P value<0.05). Significant increases in volume were recorded for the limbs in all three groups (P value<0.001). On comparing Groups I and II, the accumulation of fluids was significantly higher in the morning than in the afternoon (P value<0.003). Asymptomatic workers may present with oedema of the legs during their work with the rate of oedema being different for morning and afternoon shifts. The possibility of wearing compression stockings should be considered for this type of work.

Improvement of a three‐dimensional measurement system for the evaluation of foot edema

“…From these viewpoints, it is very important to evaluate the leg edema at several sites along the leg (3)(4)(5)(6). Measurement of the leg volume has been demonstrated using various kinds of plethysmography, such as strain gauge-, air-, and water-plethysmography (3,(6)(7)(8). However, in strain gauge-and air-plethysmography, changes in leg volume can be detected, but not absolute values, making it difficult to measure the leg volume at interrupted intervals such as in the morning and evening.…”

The Effect of Electrical Stimulation of the Calf Muscle on Leg Fluid Accumulation over a Long Period of Sitting

“…An electrical stimulation system can be developed into a compact, wearable device that can be applied in a wide variety of settings, thereby making it easier to target individuals who are at risk for leg fluid accumulation and its negative consequences. At risk groups include sedentary office workers who experience leg swelling due to long periods sitting 9 ; flight attendants or frequent flight travellers susceptible to leg swelling due to a long immobilized period 10 ; individuals with fluid retaining diseases such as renal failure and heart failure 1 ; spinal cord injured 11 ; individuals with sleep apnea caused by nocturnal shift of fluid from the legs to the neck 12–15 ; and individuals with asthma who experience worsening of asthma symptoms due to nocturnal fluid shift 7 .…”

“…More fluid in the legs is also associated with a greater shift of fluid toward the upper-body when moving from upright to supine posture 3 , which can increase risks for supine hypertension 4 , acute decompensation in heart failure 5 , pulmonary edema 6 , nocturnal asthma 7 , and increased sleep apnea severity 8 . This is particularly problematic in settings that facilitate sedentariness such as the office 9 or long-haul flights 10 , and in high risk populations such as the spinal cord injured 11 and individuals with fluid-retaining diseases 1 . Reducing leg fluid accumulation can serve to prevent the genesis or worsening of these diseases and disorders in high risk populations and settings 11–15 .…”

Iliac vein stenting in postmenopausal leg swelling

“…Limb swelling is perhaps the most recalcitrant among CVD manifestations and relatively difficult to eradicate completely because fluid homeostasis even in normal individuals is so precarious. [33][34][35][36] Identifying and correcting stent malfunctions in patients with symptomatic residual/recurrent swelling may improve outcome. 10 Preexisting reflux does not worsen after stent placement.…”