Development of a Clinical Screening, Diagnostic and Evaluation Tool for Patients With Lower Limb Lymphedema: Aim 1

Summary

Of all of the different measurement methods that are currently available for use in clinical practice for assessing the same lymphedema characteristic (for example water displacement versus perimetry, both assessing swelling) or different lymphedema characteristics (for example water content in the skin versus hardness of the skin versus thickness of the skin), a clear overview about the reliability, concurrent validity (if applicable) and clinical feasibility is missing for the assessment of lower limb lymphedema (LLL).

The objective of this observational cross-sectional study is to investigate the (day-to-day) reliability and clinical feasibility of currently applied measurement tools in patients with LLL.

Conditions

• Lower Limb Lymphedema

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Assessor A (first measurement): measurement methods and questionnaires for the assessment of LLL

pitting test at the level of the foot, leg and midline region; skinfold test at the level of the foot, leg and midline region; skin hardness test at the level of the foot, leg and midline region; measurement with MoistureMeterD at the level of the foot, leg and midline region; measurement with SkinFibroMeter at the level of the foot, leg and midline region; circumference measurements at the level of the leg and midline region; perometry at the level of the leg; water displacement measurement at the level of the foot; measurements with bio-impedance spectroscopy/analysis devices at the level of the lower limbs and a questionnaire regarding skin integrity (ICC compression questionnaire) that should be completed by the therapist and a self-reported disease-specific quality of life questionnaire (Lymph-ICF-LL) that is completed by the patient at the end of this evaluation

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Assessor B: measurement methods and questionnaires for the assessment of LLL

pitting test at the level of the foot, leg and midline region; skinfold test at the level of the foot, leg and midline region; skin hardness test at the level of the foot, leg and midline region; measurement with MoistureMeterD at the level of the foot, leg and midline region; measurement with SkinFibroMeter at the level of the foot, leg and midline region; circumference measurements at the level of the leg and midline region; perometry at the level of the leg; water displacement measurement at the level of the foot; measurements with bio-impedance spectroscopy/analysis devices at the level of the lower limbs and a questionnaire regarding skin integrity (ICC compression questionnaire) that should be completed by the therapist

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Assessor A (second measurement: measurement methods and questionnaires for the assessment of LLL

pitting test at the level of the foot, leg and midline region; skinfold test at the level of the foot, leg and midline region; skin hardness test at the level of the foot, leg and midline region; measurement with MoistureMeterD at the level of the foot, leg and midline region; measurement with SkinFibroMeter at the level of the foot, leg and midline region; circumference measurements at the level of the leg and midline region; perometry at the level of the leg; water displacement measurement at the level of the foot; measurements with bio-impedance spectroscopy/analysis devices at the level of the lower limbs and a questionnaire regarding skin integrity (ICC compression questionnaire) that should be completed by the therapist

DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Assessor A (2 weeks later): measurement methods and questionnaires for the assessment of LLL

pitting test at the level of the foot, leg and midline region; skinfold test at the level of the foot, leg and midline region; skin hardness test at the level of the foot, leg and midline region; measurement with MoistureMeterD at the level of the foot, leg and midline region; measurement with SkinFibroMeter at the level of the foot, leg and midline region; circumference measurements at the level of the leg and midline region; perometry at the level of the leg; water displacement measurement at the level of the foot; measurements with bio-impedance spectroscopy/analysis devices at the level of the lower limbs and a questionnaire regarding skin integrity (ICC compression questionnaire) that should be completed by the therapist and a self-reported disease-specific quality of life questionnaire (Lymph-ICF-LL) that is completed by the patient at the end of this evaluation

Sponsors & Collaborators

• KU Leuven

  collaborator OTHER

• Universitaire Ziekenhuizen KU Leuven

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Tessa De Vrieze, Dr. · KU Leuven

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-02-07

Primary Completion

2025-09-30

Completion

2025-10-31

Countries

• Belgium

Study Locations