PD870 - MEDITERRANEAN DIET ADHERENCE AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER-RELATED LYMPHEDEMA

PD870

MEDITERRANEAN DIET ADHERENCE AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN WOMEN WITH BREAST CANCER-RELATED LYMPHEDEMA

D. Bučan Nenadić¹, E. Kolak Gaurina¹, L. Štrbac^1,*, L. Štrkalj², A. Poljičanin³

¹Nutrition and Dietetics Department, University Hospital Centre Split, Split, ² Croatian Association of Nutritionists, Zagreb, ³Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation with Rheumatology, University Hospital Centre Split, Split, Croatia

Rationale: Lymphedema is a frequent breast cancer complication that impairs quality of life and raises cardiometabolic risks, with excess fat as a potential factor. While the Mediterranean diet (MD) improves metabolic health, its link to breast cancer related lymphedema (BCRL) stages remains underexplored. This study examines MD adherence, body weight, and biochemical markers by lymphedema stage.

Methods: 69 women with BCRL from Dalmatia, Croatia, were classified according to the International Society of Lymphology system into stage 1 (n=37) and stage 3 (n=32). Anthropometric measurements and body composition were assessed using bioelectrical impedance. MD adherence was evaluated using the Mediterranean Diet Serving Score (MDSS). Biochemical parameters, including glycemic and lipid profile, and iron status indicators, were collected.

Results: The mean age of participants was 58 years, with ISL stage 3 women being significantly older than those in stage 1 (p=0.003). A high prevalence of overweight and obesity was observed in the overall sample (>68%), with no significant differences in anthropometric measurements or body composition parameters between the stages. Adherence to the MD was low across the entire cohort, with only 6% of participants meeting the MDSS adherence criteria. Women in ISL stage 3 showed higher HbA1c and total cholesterol levels, and lower indicators of iron status, compared with stage 1 (p<0.05). 

Conclusion: Women with BCRL exhibit unfavorable dietary habits and overweight status characterized by low adherence to the MD regardless of lymphedema stage. Similar nutritional and body composition measures across stages suggest consistent risk throughout BCRL, while biochemical differences point to a less favorable metabolic profile in advanced lymphedema. These findings emphasize the need for early, ongoing nutritional assessment and intervention in lymphedema care.

Disclosure of Interest: None declared