Improvement of quality of life by intake of hydroxytyrosol in patients with lymphedema and association of lymphedema genes with obesity.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Lymphedema is a debilitating disease and may be a comorbidity of obesity. New molecules have been investigated for the treatment of lymphedema; one of the most promising molecules is hydroxytyrosol. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between mutations in genes mutated in lymphedema and the presence of obesity and making an estimate of the quality of life in lymphedema patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited 71 Caucasian individuals with the diagnosis of primary lymphedema, and they undertook a questionnaire to assess their quality life. For this purpose, we developed a NGS custom-made panel comprising genes associated with lymphedema. RESULTS: An obesity rate of 20% was detected. The average Lymph-ICF-LL value for patients who consume olive oil daily was 20 with a better quality of life. Twenty-three patients resulted positive to the genetic test. Genetic variants with a likely association with obesity have been identified in PROX1, FOXC2 and FLT4. CONCLUSIONS: A obesity rate, higher than that reported by ISTAT, was detected. The use of olive oil enhances the quality of life of lymphedema patients. Moreover, a diagnostic approach by a NGS panel shows an association of lymphedema with obesity.