TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of weight reduction on the breast cancer-related lymphedema
T2 - A systematic review and meta-analysis
AU - Tsai, Chi Lin
AU - Chih-Yang Hsu, Hsu
AU - Chang, Wei Wen
AU - Yen-Nung Lin, Lin
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 The Author(s)
PY - 2020/8
Y1 - 2020/8
N2 - Background: Obesity has long been considered a risk factor for breast cancer–related lymphedema (BCRL), but the benefits of weight reduction in managing BCRL have not been clearly established. Objective: To evaluate the beneficial effects of weight loss interventions (WLIs) on the reduction and prevention of BCRL. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis by searching the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases from their earliest record to October 1st, 2019. We included randomized and non-randomized controlled trials involving adult patients with a history of breast cancer, that compared WLI groups with no-WLI groups, and provided quantitative measurements of lymphedema. Results: Initial literature search yielded 461 nonduplicate records. After exclusion based on title, abstract, and full-text review, four randomized controlled trials involving 460 participants were included for quantitative analysis. Our meta-analysis revealed a significant between-group mean difference (MD) regarding the volume of affected arm (MD = 244.7 mL, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 145.3–344.0) and volume of unaffected arm (MD = 234.5 mL, 95% CI: 146.9–322.1). However, a nonsignificant between-group MD of −0.07% (95% CI: 1.22–1.08) was observed regarding the interlimb volume difference at the end of the WLIs. Conclusions: In patients with BCRL, WLIs are associated with decreased volume of the affected and unaffected arms but not with decreased severity of BCRL measured by interlimb difference in arm volume.
AB - Background: Obesity has long been considered a risk factor for breast cancer–related lymphedema (BCRL), but the benefits of weight reduction in managing BCRL have not been clearly established. Objective: To evaluate the beneficial effects of weight loss interventions (WLIs) on the reduction and prevention of BCRL. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis by searching the PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases from their earliest record to October 1st, 2019. We included randomized and non-randomized controlled trials involving adult patients with a history of breast cancer, that compared WLI groups with no-WLI groups, and provided quantitative measurements of lymphedema. Results: Initial literature search yielded 461 nonduplicate records. After exclusion based on title, abstract, and full-text review, four randomized controlled trials involving 460 participants were included for quantitative analysis. Our meta-analysis revealed a significant between-group mean difference (MD) regarding the volume of affected arm (MD = 244.7 mL, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 145.3–344.0) and volume of unaffected arm (MD = 234.5 mL, 95% CI: 146.9–322.1). However, a nonsignificant between-group MD of −0.07% (95% CI: 1.22–1.08) was observed regarding the interlimb volume difference at the end of the WLIs. Conclusions: In patients with BCRL, WLIs are associated with decreased volume of the affected and unaffected arms but not with decreased severity of BCRL measured by interlimb difference in arm volume.
KW - Breast cancer lymphedema
KW - Breast neoplasms
KW - Diet
KW - Exercise
KW - Weight loss
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85085748817&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85085748817&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.breast.2020.05.007
DO - 10.1016/j.breast.2020.05.007
M3 - Article
C2 - 32505860
AN - SCOPUS:85085748817
SN - 0960-9776
VL - 52
SP - 116
EP - 121
JO - Breast
JF - Breast
ER -
