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.