by Chi-Lin Tsai, Chih-Yang Hsu, Wei-Wen Chang, Yen-Nung Lin
The Breast: VOLUME 52, P116-121, AUGUST
01, 2020
Highlights
•Weight reduction decreases the volume of both arms in
patients with BCRL.
•Weight reduction does not reduce the severity of BCRL
measured objectively.
•Effects of weight reduction on preventing BCRL are yet
unknown.
Abstract
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.
