Prevalence of Lower Leg Edema Among the Elderly Living in a Canadian Long-term Care Facility

Edema is a localized or generalized abnormal accumulation of fluid in body tissues and chronic edema has been directly related to the development of wounds on the lower legs. There is limited published data pertaining to the prevalence of chronic edema in the Canadian Long Term Care (LTC) population.

 Purpose

To explore the prevalence of lower leg edema in the elderly individuals living in Canadian LTC facilities.

 Research Questions

1. What is the prevalence of edema in individuals living in LTC in Canada?
2. Are healthcare professionals recognizing and diagnosing edema?
3. When edema is recognized and diagnosed are healthcare professionals implementing measures to minimize or manage edema?

 Methods

A cross-sectional point prevalence study was conducted in a LTC facility in Canada. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the independent and outcome factors. Pearson’s chi-square test was used to test for statistically significant differences between males and females in the prevalence of edema.  P value of  < .05 was used to indicate statistical significance.

 Results:

106 residents participated in the study. Age 66-94 years of age (mean= 75). Prevalence of lower leg edema was 63.9%. There was no significance in edema between men and women, 70% were male and 62% female (X² = 0.387, p= 0.517). Only 6.4% of those with lower extremity edema were previously identified as having edema (X² = .0.039, p = 0.047).  None of the individuals identified with edema were receiving compression therapy.

 Conclusion:

 This study supports the hypothesis that lower leg edema is prevalent in the aging population. Results may not be generalizable due to the small sample size, however the results highlight the need for further research into the prevalence and impact of lower leg edema in the elderly population living in LTC.