Related factors of cellulitis history in lymphoedema patients

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 18K10307
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 58060:Clinical nursing-related
• Research Institution: Fujita Health University (2021-2022); The University of Tokyo (2019-2020); Kanazawa University (2018)
• Principal Investigator: Dai Misako 藤田医科大学, 社会実装看護創成研究センター, 准教授 (50614864)
• Project Period (FY): 2018-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: リンパ浮腫 / 蜂窩織炎 / 超音波検査技術 / 細菌叢

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Recurrent cellulitis has high impact on physical, psychological, and social aspects for lymphedema patients. We speculated that identification of characteristics of skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue with cellulitis history can help considering new approach for prevention of recurrent cellulitis in lymphedema patients. Therefore, as the main topic in this study, we aimed to noninvasively identify the ultrasonographic features of skin and subcutaneous tissue of lymphedema in patients with a cellulitis history. In this study, cellulitis history in lymphedema patients appears to be associated with dermal hypoechogenicity, particularly in the proximal lower extremity. This finding suggests that it may be the initial step to consider new approach for prevention of recurrent cellulitis in lymphedema patients.

Free Research Field

臨床看護学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

まず、本研究では、リンパ浮腫患者の蜂窩織炎再発に着目し、蜂窩織炎既往歴を有する者の真皮のエコー所見特徴を明らかにした点で、これまで臨床で難渋していた蜂窩織炎再発予防を検討するステップとなったと考えられ学術的意義が高いといえる。エコーは非侵襲的・リアルタイム・簡便に使用可能な機器で、今後、リンパ浮腫管理に導入・普及することが望まれる。将来的には本研究で明らかにしたエコー所見を用いてリンパ浮腫管理の有効性が明らかになることで、蜂窩織炎再発予防に向けた新たな評価方法の提案、管理方法の検討へとつながり、患者らの生活の質向上が期待できる点で社会的意義が高いといえる。