A recent study has shown that non-cancer-related lymphoedema is more prominent in Ireland than previously believed.

Research published in the International Wound Journal has shown that the prevalence of lymphoedema patients attending vascular and wound management services is very high. Awareness and knowledge about lymphoedema, however, is particularly poor in Ireland, as many patients admitted that they were unaware of the condition and had not received any treatment for it, despite having it for an average of 2.9 years.

Among the 542 patients attending the wound management services, 2.63% were identified as having non-cancer-related lower limb lymphoedema. The researchers think that lymphoedema might occur in as much as 5, 500 people in the Republic of Ireland and that all efforts must be carried out to educate patients in lymphoedema awareness.

To see the study, click here.

Image: Ireland flag. Credit: Svadilfari on Flickr.