Objective
To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of axillary web syndrome (AWS) in Korean patients.
Methods
This retrospective study included a total of 189 women who underwent breast cancer surgery and received physical therapy between September 2019 and August 2020. We analyzed AWS and the correlation between the patients’ demographics, underlying disease, type of surgery and chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and lymphedema.
Results
The prevalence of AWS was found to be 30.6%. In the univariable analysis, age, chemotherapy, and hypertension were related to AWS. Finally, the multivariable logistic regression revealed that chemotherapy (odds ratio [OR]=2.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.46–5.53) and HTN (OR=2.72; 95% CI, 1.18–6.30) were the strongest risk factors of AWS.
Conclusion
To the best of our knowledge, this was the first study that explored the risk factors of AWS in a Korean population after breast cancer surgery. As almost one-third of patients suffer from AWS after breast cancer surgery, it is essential to closely monitor the development of AWS in patients with hypertension or undergoing chemotherapy.

Citations

• Axillary Web Syndrome in Newly Diagnosed Individuals after Surgery for Breast Cancer: Baseline Results from the AMBER Cohort Study
  Margaret L McNeely, Kerry S Courneya, Mona M Al Onazi, Qinggang Wang, Stephanie Bernard, Leanne Dickau, Jeffrey K Vallance, S. Nicole Culos-Reed, Charles E Matthews, Lin Yang, Christine M Friedenreich
  Physiotherapy Canada.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Is axillary web syndrome a risk factor for breast cancer-related lymphedema of the upper extremity? A systematic review and meta-analysis
  Cheryl L. Brunelle, Angela Serig
  Breast Cancer Research and Treatment.2024; 208(3): 471.     CrossRef
• Síndrome da Rede Axilar após Tratamento para Câncer de Mama: Revisão Sistemática com Metanálise
  Emmanuele Celina Souza dos Santos, Jurandir da Silva Filho, Rayane de Nazaré Monteiro Brandão, Lucas Yuri Azevedo da Silva, Leonardo Brynne Ramos de Souza, José Francisco Dias dos Anjos, Maurício Oliveira Magalhães, Saul Rassy Carneiro
  Revista Brasileira de Cancerologia.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
• The role of aromatase inhibitors in slim women with breast cancer-related lymphoedema: a reflective case series
  Clare Anvar
  British Journal of Community Nursing.2023; 28(Sup10): S14.     CrossRef
• Axillary Web Syndrome in Breast Cancer Women: What Is the Optimal Rehabilitation Strategy after Surgery? A Systematic Review
  Lorenzo Lippi, Alessandro de Sire, Luigi Losco, Kamal Mezian, Arianna Folli, Mariia Ivanova, Lorenzo Zattoni, Stefano Moalli, Antonio Ammendolia, Carmine Alfano, Nicola Fusco, Marco Invernizzi
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