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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2014 Aug 5.
Published in final edited form as: Ann Surg Oncol. 2012 Oct 3;20(3):842–849. doi: 10.1245/s10434-012-2631-9

TABLE 3.

Lymphedema risk-factor exposures over 12-months, all participants — no (%)

Exposure 3-month
(n=271)
6-month
(n=266)
12-month
(n=253)
OR (95% CI) P
Fever 24 (9%) 27 (10%) 24 (10%) 1.22 (0.36–4.22) 0.74
Vigorous exercise in hot weather 20 (7%) 19 (7%) 15 (6%) 1.00 (0.11–4.17) 0.99
Travel to hot/humid place 51 (19%) 49 (19%) 38 (15%) 1.09 (0.40–2.96) 0.87
Sunburn 20 (7%) 22 (8%) 14 (6%) 1.76 (0.49–6.26) 0.38
Pet scratch 32 (12%) 36 (14%) 39 (16%) 1.49 (0.54–4.11) 0.44
Bug Bite 101 (37%) 93 (35%) 86 (34%) 1.09 (0.49–2.45) 0.81
Cut 111 (41%) 96 (36%) 106 (42%) 1.99 (0.91–4.35) 0.08
Hang nail 90 (34%) 90 (34%) 90 (36%) 0.66 (0.27–1.57) 0.34
Manicure 86 (32%) 88 (33%) 74 (29%) 1.33 (0.59–3.01) 0.49
Blister 27 (10%) 24 (9%) 27 (11%) 0.77 (0.18–3.36) 0.73
Hot tub use 27 (10%) 25 (9%) 23 (9%) 0.76 (0.17–3.31) 0.71
Travel by airplane 81 (30%) 81 (30%) 84 (33%) 0.62 (0.24–1.57) 0.31
Acupuncture 0 (0%) 1 (1%) 2 (1%) 5.16 (0.11–47.98) 0.11
Bruise 30 (11%) 32 (12%) 28 (11%) 1.98 (0.69–5.67) 0.20
Change of breast prosthesis 4 (1%) 6 (2%) 4 (2%) 2.10 (0.26–17.00) 0.49
Blood draw 8 (3%) 7 (3%) 9 (4%) 1.13 (0.15–8.74) 0.91
Bra too tight 37 (14%) 35 (13%) 24 (10%) 1.26 (0.42–3.76) 0.67
Blood pressure cuff 6 (2%) 3 (1%) 10 (4%) 1.47 (0.18–11.77) 0.72
Constriction 11 (4%) 13 (5%) 13 (5%) 0.78 (0.10–5.97) 0.81
Lying on affected arm 204 (75%) 201 (76%) 194 (78%) 0.52 (0.23–1.17) 0.11
Surgery 17 (6%) 11 (4%) 14 (6%) 1.42 (0.32–6.31) 0.65
Travel to different altitude 28 (10%) 24 (9%) 30 (12%) 0.51 (0.05–2.06) 0.35
Heavy lifting 90 (33%) 92 (35%) 80 (32%) 0.56 (0.22–1.41) 0.22
Overuse from chores 63 (23%) 78 (29%) 70 (28%) 0.47 (0.16–1.38) 0.17
Menstrual changes 9 (3%) 15 (6%) 12 (5%) 1.68 (0.37–7.49) 0.50
Sauna use 4 (1%) 4 (2%) 5 (2%) 5.77 (1.00–33.82) 0.05
Infection 9 (3%) 3 (1%) 11 (4%) 1.35 (0.17–10.60) 0.78
Sports injury 5 (2%) 6 (2%) 2 (1%) 1.82 (0.35–15.12) 0.56
Skin burn 11 (4%) 10 (4%) 5 (2%) 2.52 (0.53–11.93) 0.24
More alcohol intake than usual 11 (4%) 13 (5%) 7 (3%) 1.37 (0.15–5.79) 0.67

Median # of exposures [IQR] 4 [2–6] 4 [2–6] 4 [1–6] 0.98 (0.85–1.12) 0.73
Range 0–18 0–15 0–17