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OtherEvidence-Based Clinical Medicine

Approach to Leg Edema of Unclear Etiology

John W. Ely, Jerome A. Osheroff, M. Lee Chambliss and Mark H. Ebell
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine March 2006, 19 (2) 148-160; DOI: https://doi.org/10.3122/jabfm.19.2.148
John W. Ely
MD, MSPH
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Jerome A. Osheroff
MD
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M. Lee Chambliss
MD, MSPH
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Mark H. Ebell
MD, MS
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Article Figures & Data

Figures

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    Figure 1.

    Algorithm for leg edema.

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    Figure 2.

    Common causes.

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    Figure 3.

    Systemic evaluation.

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    Figure 4.

    Unilateral edema.

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    Figure 5.

    Chronic unilateral edema.

Tables

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    Table 1.

    Common Causes of Leg Edema in the United States

    UnilateralBilateral
    Acute (<72 hours)ChronicAcute (<72 hours)Chronic
    Deep vein thrombosisVenous insufficiencyVenous insufficiency
    Pulmonary hypertension
    Heart failure
    Idiopathic edema
    Lymphedema
    Drugs
    Premenstrual edema
    Pregnancy
    Obesity
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    Table 2.

    Less Common Causes of Leg Edema in the United States

    UnilateralBilateral
    Acute (<72 hours)ChronicAcute (<72 hours)Chronic
    Ruptured Baker’s cystSecondary lymphedema (tumor, radiation, surgery, bacterial infection)Bilateral deep vein thrombosisRenal disease (nephrotic syndrome, glomerulonephritis)
    Ruptured medial head of gastrocnemiusPelvic tumor or lymphoma causing external pressure on veinsAcute worsening of systemic cause (heart failure, renal disease)Liver disease
    Compartment syndromeReflex sympathetic dystrophySecondary lymphedema (secondary to tumor, radiation, bacterial infection, filariasis)
    Pelvic tumor or lymphoma causing external pressure
    Dependent edema
    Diuretic-induced edema
    Dependent edema
    Preeclampsia
    Lipidema8
    Anemia
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    Table 3.

    Rare Causes of Leg Edema in the United States

    UnilateralBilateral
    Acute (<72 hours)ChronicAcute (<72 hours)Chronic
    Primary lymphedema (congenital lymphedema, lymphedema praecox, lymphedema tarda)Primary lymphedema (congenital lymphedema, lymphedema praecox, lymphedema tarda)
    Congenital venous malformationsProtein losing enteropathy, malnutrition, malabsorption
    May-Thurner syndrome (iliac-vein compression syndrome)51Restrictive pericarditis
    Restrictive cardiomyopathy
    Beri Beri
    Myxedema
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    Table 4.

    Drugs That May Cause Leg Edema9,12,14,16,17

    Antihypertensive drugs
        Calcium channel blockers
        Beta blockers
        Clonidine
        Hydralazine
        Minoxidil
        Methyldopa
    Hormones
        Corticosteroids
        Estrogen
        Progesterone
        Testosterone
    Other
        Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
        Pioglitazone, Rosiglitazone
        Monoamine oxidase inhibitors
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    Table 5.

    Tests for Idiopathic Edema12,30,31,52

    Morning and Evening Weights: Patients should weigh themselves nude and with an empty bladder before food or fluids in the morning and at bedtime. A mean weight gain >0.7 kg is consistent with idiopathic edema.
    Water Load Test: After avoiding diuretics for at least 10 days, the patient drinks 20 mL/kg body weight (maximum 1500 mL) uniced water over 20 minutes, sometime between 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM. The patient collects urine every hour, starting 1 hour before the oral fluid load and ending 4 hours after. On the first day, the patient should be walking slowly or standing during this 4-hour period. On the second day, the patient repeats the fluid load and urine collection, but should be recumbent during the 4-hour period. In patients with idiopathic edema, less than 55% of water load is excreted in the upright position and more than 65% in the recumbent position.
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    Table 6.

    Strength of Evidence for Major Recommendations

    Strength of Recommendation*
    Diagnostic recommendations
        Relative frequencies of causes of edema in Tables 1–31,4,53C
        Clinical findings that help distinguish venous edema, lymphedema, and lipidema8,9,11,12,21,22,24C
        Important components of the patient history9–12,24,54C
        Important components of physical exam2,9–12,22,24C
        Echocardiogram recommended in patients over age 454C
        Medications that cause edema4,13,14,16,17,24,55C
        Normal D-dimer rules out deep vein thrombosis25,56B
        Use of Doppler exam to confirm or rule out deep vein thrombosis57–59B
    Treatment recommendations
        Diuretics to treat venous insufficiency2C
        Horse chestnut seed extract to treat venous insufficiency41–44B
        Compression stockings to treat venous insufficiency60C
        Diuretics to treat idiopathic edema5,31,46C
    • * Strength of recommendation classified according to the 3-component SORT system61: A, denotes recommendation based on consistent and good-quality patient-oriented evidence61; B, denotes recommendation based on inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence61; C, denotes recommendation based on consensus, usual practice, opinion, disease-oriented evidence, or case series for studies of diagnosis, treatment, prevention, or screening.61

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    Table 7.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    QuestionAnswer
    Who needs a pelvic and rectal exam to rule out tumor?We recommend a pelvic/rectal exam in patients who present with findings suspicious for tumor, such as unilateral edema, pelvic symptoms, or weight loss. We were unable to find evidence or published opinions on when the pelvic or rectal exam is indicated in patients with edema The pelvic exam has poor sensitivity compared with computed tomography (CT) scan for detection of pelvic tumors that cause leg edema. However, information gained from this part of the exam may complement subsequent radiologic studies.
    Who needs an abdominal/pelvic CT scan to rule out tumor?An abdominal/pelvic CT scan should be considered in patients over 40 without an apparent cause for edema and in younger patients with suspicious findings (unilateral edema, pelvic signs or symptoms, weight loss). Patients over age 35 with undiagnosed lymphedema should have a CT scan.11 Tumors commonly associated with leg edema include prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and lymphoma.11,12
    Who needs to be evaluated for a systemic cause, and what tests should be done?It is reasonable to obtain a few basic tests in all patients with bilateral leg edema over age 45 because the tests are relatively few and inexpensive. The basic tests include a complete blood count, urinalysis, electrolytes, creatinine, blood sugar, thyroid-stimulating hormone, and serum albumin. An echocardiogram should be considered in patients over age 45, because pulmonary hypertension is a common cause of leg edema and is commonly missed.4 Unilateral edema generally does not require a search for a systemic cause. A search for liver disease is unnecessary in the absence of ascites because leg edema is a late finding in patients with cirrhosis.
    When should diuretics be used and when should they be avoided?Loop diuretics (eg, furosemide, 40 mg daily) should be used in patients with edema secondary to heart failure or renal failure.62 Patients with ascites and leg edema due to cirrhosis should be treated with spironolactone (starting with 50 mg daily) combined with furosemide (starting with 40 mg daily).63,64 In patients with chronic venous insufficiency, diuretics should be used only after leg elevation and compression stockings have failed. At that point, they should be used sparingly and for brief periods. In patients with idiopathic edema who are taking diuretics, a 3 to 4 week trial off diuretics is indicated. In patients with idiopathic edema who are not already taking diuretics or those who fail to improve off diuretics, spironolactone and thiazides can be used. Long-term furosemide use in patients with idiopathic edema has been associated with impaired renal function.65 Diuretics should be used rarely if at all in patients with lipidema, lymphedema, and deep vein thrombosis.
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The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine: 19 (2)
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine
Vol. 19, Issue 2
March-April 2006
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Approach to Leg Edema of Unclear Etiology
John W. Ely, Jerome A. Osheroff, M. Lee Chambliss, Mark H. Ebell
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine Mar 2006, 19 (2) 148-160; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.19.2.148

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Approach to Leg Edema of Unclear Etiology
John W. Ely, Jerome A. Osheroff, M. Lee Chambliss, Mark H. Ebell
The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine Mar 2006, 19 (2) 148-160; DOI: 10.3122/jabfm.19.2.148
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