Turkish Version of Breast Edema Questionnare: Validity and Reliability Study

Unlike arm lymphedema, which is described in detail in the literature, there are only a few studies investigating breast lymphedema after breast cancer treatment. Breast ultrasound (US) is considered to be a more reliable and quantitative measure of breast edema. However, there is no survey study that comprehensively examines these outcome measures according to the presence and clinical features of lymphedema (duration, severity, location of lymphedema). In studies conducted to evaluate breast edema after breast cancer treatment, the necessity of a situation-specific scale has emerged. For this reason, the "Breast Edema Questionnaire" was developed to evaluate breast edema in women undergoing breast cancer surgery.

Ultrasonography is routinely used in the evaluation of skin and soft tissue complaints.Generally, ultrasound is used to evaluate abscesses, cellulitis and foreign bodies in the skin and soft tissue. The deterioration of the skin by bacterial invasion causes infection in the dermis and subcutaneous fat. These findings are due to subcutaneous edema accumulation. Ultrasound will be used to determine the localization, severity and amount of edema.

Fluid percentage will be evaluated using the Moisture Meter Compact instrument (Delphin technologies). The tissue dielectric constant (TDC) technique gives information about the emergence of lymphedema in the early stages and the change in the amount of water under the skin. The reflected wave contains information about the energy attraction, that is, the amount of water molecules in the skin. The resulting values are automatically converted to PWC values by the device software. The probe of the device showing the tissue dielectric constant will be placed on the skin. Tissue edema will be measured at different depths by making three different measurements. The reference point will be used.

The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) is used to convert some values that cannot be measured numerically. Two end definitions of the parameter to be evaluated are written at the two ends of a 100 mm line, and the patient is asked to indicate where on this line their situation is appropriate by drawing a line or by placing a dot or pointing. For example, for pain, I have no pain at one end and very severe pain at the other end and the patient marks his/her current state on this line. The length of the distance from the point where there is no pain to the point marked by the patient indicates the patient's pain.