Comparing bioelectrical impedance values in assessing early upper limb lymphedema after breast cancer surgery.

AIM The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate resistance (R) and phase angle (Pa) determined by single-frequency whole-body bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), as predictors for the early onset of edema of the upper limb in patients undergoing surgical treatment for breast cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS Whole-body BIA was performed before surgery, as well as at two days, at one and three months after surgery. RESULTS A total of 33 women undergoing breast cancer surgery were examined. Four patients developed an edema of the upper limb within the first three months after surgery. Both analyzed parameters showed a fairly good performance in terms of sensitivity (R=75%, Pa=75%) and specificity (R=86%, Pa=83%). The positive predictive values of 43% (R) and 38% (Pa) were unsatisfactory, whereas the negative predictive values were 96% for both parameters. CONCLUSION Pa, as well as R, in whole-body BIA can be used to rule out a developing edema of the upper limb.