Improving our understanding of the prevalence and risk factors for lymphoedema and chronic oedema in Australian women
Synopsis
In 2023, lymphoedema was acknowledged by the Australian
Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW) as a chronic condition causing
significant ill health and disability, making it an individual and national
health concern. Growing evidence suggests the lymphatic system plays a more
significant role in chronic oedema than previously thought. However, there is no
population-level prevalence estimate of the number of people living with
chronic oedema and lymphoedema in Australia. This study will improve understanding of the prevalence
and risk factors for lymphoedema and chronic oedema at a population level,
using data from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health (ALSWH).