Lymphoedema IMpact and PRevalence – INTernational Lympoedema Framework

LIMPRINT is an international study aimed at capturing the size and impact of chronic oedema in different countries and health services across the world.

The focus of LIMPRINT is to provide evidence to support the development and reimbursement of lymphoedema services. This challenging project, which is carried out in close collaboration with participating national lymphoedema frameworks, has demonstrated the possibility of global research within a charitable framework and the power of strong academic partnerships to ensure delivery of robust evidence from each country.

The project is co-ordinated by the ILF. ILF director Susie Murray is the study manager responsible for coordinating the activities and liaising with the sites. The project is also supported by an international steering group.

LIMPRINT data collection

From 2014 to 2017 9 countries with 40 sites have contributed to an international data set of over 13,000 patients. The study was supported by an electronic data capture system and data collection tools that had been previously validated.  The preliminary analysis illuminated the burden on acute and community health services across the world and identified the patient populations most at risk.

The capturing of new data is now focused on low resource countries.

LIMPRINT analysis

The initial analysis has shown that chronic oedema is a major health care problem and that patients exist throughout the health care system. There are international variations in the prevalence rates in acute hospitals, with the lowest rates in Japan and the highest in Denmark. The importance of risk factors such as obesity, immobility and cellulitis are emerging.  Primary lymphoedema remains an important group seen in specialist services while secondary patients are seen in many different healthcare settings.  The proportion with cancer as the dominant cause is much lower than frequently reported.

Presentation and publication of results

First results of the LIMPRINT studies were presented in two key sessions at the 7th ILF conference in Syracuse, Italy in 2017. The presentations provided an overview of the results from the study and discussed the implications for health services nationally.

During 2017 and 2018, the data analysis was continued. The first results were published in 2019 in a special edition of Lymphatic Research and Biology. This special edition contains 17 articles all published with open access.


Read more

In 2021, nine additional papers with more results of the LIMPRINT studies were published in the second special edition of Lymphatic Research and Biology. 

This special edition contains nine articles all published with open access.


Read more

LIMPRINT instruments

The LIMPRINT instruments were developed to capture the size and impact of chronic oedema in different countries and health services across the world. They are designed to be completed by healthcare professionals to assess adults’ chronic oedema status and associated conditions such as wounds or cancer. The instruments were validated and used in more than 40 sites in 9 countries to estimate the prevalence of chronic oedema in both acute and community settings.

 

In what languages are the LIMPRINT instruments available?

The LIMPRINT instruments are currently available in English, Danish, Dutch, French, Italian and Japanese.

How to get LIMPRINT instruments

Researchers and other potential users interested in using and/or translating one of the LIMPRINT instruments are asked to complete a collaboration form, sign it and send it back to us per post, email or fax. The Collaboration Form and User Agreement is available on request. Information on Licencing Fees can be found in the User Agreement. 

Please contact info@lympho.org for more information.
 

Copyright

Please note that the LIMPRINT instruments and translations are subject to a copyright protection. All rights are reserved to the International Lymphoedema Framework. The LIMPRINT instruments are not permitted to be used, modified, translated, published or made available in any way without prior written consent from the International Lymphoedema Framework.