Self-measured leg circumference for the detection of lymphedema among men with prostate cancer: a reliability study
Background and purpose: Early lymphedema detection is crucial to timely treatment, and home-based monitoring holds promise for early detection of leg lymphedema among at-risk cancer survivors. We developed a self-measurement protocol for home-based leg circumference measurements and tested its relia...
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| Language: | English |
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Medical Journals Sweden
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Acta Oncologica |
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| Online Access: | https://medicaljournalssweden.se/actaoncologica/article/view/42249 |
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| author | Gitte Sone Larsen Sandra Jensen Annika von Heymann Bolette Skjødt Rafn |
| author_facet | Gitte Sone Larsen Sandra Jensen Annika von Heymann Bolette Skjødt Rafn |
| author_sort | Gitte Sone Larsen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background and purpose: Early lymphedema detection is crucial to timely treatment, and home-based monitoring holds promise for early detection of leg lymphedema among at-risk cancer survivors. We developed a self-measurement protocol for home-based leg circumference measurements and tested its reliability in men with prostate cancer at risk of lymphedema.
Patients/material and methods: This cross-sectional study recruited men with prostate cancer from the Department of Urology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark. Circumference measurements were taken at four points on both legs, from which leg volume was calculated. Intrarater reliability was assessed by comparing self-measurements taken at home and in the hospital. Interrater reliability was evaluated by comparing hospital self-measurements to those of a blinded physiotherapist. Statistical power required 13 participants for the detection of a good (>0.8) intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).
Results: Forty-three men were included (median age 69 [63–76] years). Intrarater reliability (n = 39) was good to excellent for six out of eight measurement points (ICC ≥ 0.79, p < 0.01) and moderate for two (ICC ≥ 0.55, p < 0.01). Intrarater reliability for leg volume was excellent (ICC ≥ 0.96, p < 0.01). Similarly, interrater reliability (n = 23) was excellent for all measurement points and leg volumes (ICC ≥ 0.91, p < 0.01). Forty-one of 43 participants performed the measurements independently, found them easy to do, and were willing to conduct self-measurements if recommended by their doctor.
Interpretation: Self-measured leg circumference among men with prostate cancer is highly reliable and acceptable. This low-cost approach for home-based monitoring for lymphedema offers potential for early detection and timely management of the condition.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-9c08a022a32e40a8a75e01712eea4226 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1651-226X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Medical Journals Sweden |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Acta Oncologica |
| spelling | doaj-art-9c08a022a32e40a8a75e01712eea42262025-08-20T02:04:21ZengMedical Journals SwedenActa Oncologica1651-226X2025-02-016410.2340/1651-226X.2025.42249Self-measured leg circumference for the detection of lymphedema among men with prostate cancer: a reliability studyGitte Sone Larsen0https://orcid.org/0009-0008-1347-9715Sandra Jensen1https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5365-951XAnnika von Heymann2https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0900-5575Bolette Skjødt Rafn3https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8269-3100Danish Cancer Society National Research Center for Cancer Survivorship and Treatment Late Effects, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, DenmarkDanish Cancer Society National Research Center for Cancer Survivorship and Treatment Late Effects, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, DenmarkDanish Cancer Society National Research Center for Cancer Survivorship and Treatment Late Effects, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, DenmarkDanish Cancer Society National Research Center for Cancer Survivorship and Treatment Late Effects, Department of Oncology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, DenmarkBackground and purpose: Early lymphedema detection is crucial to timely treatment, and home-based monitoring holds promise for early detection of leg lymphedema among at-risk cancer survivors. We developed a self-measurement protocol for home-based leg circumference measurements and tested its reliability in men with prostate cancer at risk of lymphedema. Patients/material and methods: This cross-sectional study recruited men with prostate cancer from the Department of Urology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Denmark. Circumference measurements were taken at four points on both legs, from which leg volume was calculated. Intrarater reliability was assessed by comparing self-measurements taken at home and in the hospital. Interrater reliability was evaluated by comparing hospital self-measurements to those of a blinded physiotherapist. Statistical power required 13 participants for the detection of a good (>0.8) intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Results: Forty-three men were included (median age 69 [63–76] years). Intrarater reliability (n = 39) was good to excellent for six out of eight measurement points (ICC ≥ 0.79, p < 0.01) and moderate for two (ICC ≥ 0.55, p < 0.01). Intrarater reliability for leg volume was excellent (ICC ≥ 0.96, p < 0.01). Similarly, interrater reliability (n = 23) was excellent for all measurement points and leg volumes (ICC ≥ 0.91, p < 0.01). Forty-one of 43 participants performed the measurements independently, found them easy to do, and were willing to conduct self-measurements if recommended by their doctor. Interpretation: Self-measured leg circumference among men with prostate cancer is highly reliable and acceptable. This low-cost approach for home-based monitoring for lymphedema offers potential for early detection and timely management of the condition. https://medicaljournalssweden.se/actaoncologica/article/view/42249Cancer-related lymphedemaprospective surveillancehome-based monitoringleg lymphedemapsychometric properties |
| spellingShingle | Gitte Sone Larsen Sandra Jensen Annika von Heymann Bolette Skjødt Rafn Self-measured leg circumference for the detection of lymphedema among men with prostate cancer: a reliability study Acta Oncologica Cancer-related lymphedema prospective surveillance home-based monitoring leg lymphedema psychometric properties |
| title | Self-measured leg circumference for the detection of lymphedema among men with prostate cancer: a reliability study |
| title_full | Self-measured leg circumference for the detection of lymphedema among men with prostate cancer: a reliability study |
| title_fullStr | Self-measured leg circumference for the detection of lymphedema among men with prostate cancer: a reliability study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Self-measured leg circumference for the detection of lymphedema among men with prostate cancer: a reliability study |
| title_short | Self-measured leg circumference for the detection of lymphedema among men with prostate cancer: a reliability study |
| title_sort | self measured leg circumference for the detection of lymphedema among men with prostate cancer a reliability study |
| topic | Cancer-related lymphedema prospective surveillance home-based monitoring leg lymphedema psychometric properties |
| url | https://medicaljournalssweden.se/actaoncologica/article/view/42249 |
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