Lymphedema is a condition stemming from the accumulation of macromolecules in the interstitial space that leads to the retention of fluids. This condition is divided into three clinical stages. In stage I, the patient awakens without edema, but swelling develops throughout the day. In stage II, the patient awakens with edema, which worsens throughout the day. Stage III is the aggravation of stage II and is also known as elephantiasis [1,2].

Godoy & Godoy developed a new concept in the treatment of lymphedema that enables normalization or near normalization [2]. However, different factors can contribute to the aggravation of lymphedema, such as erysipelas, trauma and radiotherapy. Obesity has also been associated with lower limb lymphedema and is therefore yet another aggravating factor [3].

Animal studies have demonstrated that the increase in weight in obesity can trigger changes in the lymphatic pumping mechanism, capillary permeability and the immune system [3,4]. Bioimpedance analysis enables the determination of total intracellular and extracellular water as well as water in isolated extremities and the trunk and has demonstrated an increase in total body water with the progression of lymphedema [5].

This paper reports the evolution of bioimpedance findings with the increase in weight in a patient throughout a five-year period.

A 27-seven-year old male patient with a diagnosis since birth of congenital primary lymphedema in the right lower leg underwent treatments over the years, but the condition progressed to elephantiasis. The patient sought the Godoy Clinic and was submitted to the intensive Godoy Method, nearly reaching normalization (Figs. 1a and 1b). Bioimpedance analysis was performed at the time and continued as a routine monitoring practice over the years, revealing a progression to subclinical systemic lymphedema. The increase in weight and the body mass index (BMI) over the years was accompanied by an increase in water, leading to the accumulation of total body water. However, the extracellular water/total body water ratio remained within the limits of normality, except in the leg with lymphedema (Table I).

The present study shows the progression in the accumulation of water in the entire body with the increase in BMI in a patient who had elephantiasis treated six years ago and remained in clinical stage II of lymphedema. With the increase in weight, an increase occurred in the amount of fluids accumulated in all limbs and the trunk, characterizing what we denominate subclinical systemic lymphedema [6]. At present, bioimpedance analysis has only detected lymphedema in the right leg, which corresponds to clinical stage II.

This study demonstrates that obesity is an aggravating factor of generalized edema, which was congenital primary lymphedema of the right lower limb in the present case. In clinical practice, we noticed that the increase in weight led to the emergence of lymphedema in the lower limb (determined by bioimpedance analysis) stemming from gravitational pressure, which progressed first to the trunk and then to the upper limbs.

In animal studies, an increase in BMI causes damage to the lymphatic pumping mechanism, changes in capillary permeability, an inflammatory process and changes in the immune defense system. These findings are compatible with those seen in humans with the increase in weight. A case study reports an association between lower limb lymphedema and generalized lymphedema.

The present study shows that these changes are systemic rather than localized, with generalized edema accompanying the increase in weight. Therefore, this study makes a novel contribution to the treatment of obesity and lymphedema.

An increase in weight in patients with lymphedema can evolve to subclinical systemic lymphedema, further aggravating the primary lymphedema.