Upper Limb Lymphatic Function in Inflammatory Arthritis

Objective: To determine the effect of inflammatory arthritis on lymphatic function in the upper limb.

Methods: Lymphoscintigraphy was used to measure lymphatic drainage in the upper limbs of 3 groups of patients: Group 1, inflammatory arthritis and edema (N = 10); Group 2, inflammatory arthritis and no edema (N = 18); and Group 3, healthy controls (N = 11).

Results: Lymphatic drainage was reduced significantly in Group 1 but was the same in Groups 2 and 3. Multiple regression analysis failed to show any effect of arthritis on lymphatic drainage.

Conclusion: Inflammatory arthritis alone does not impair lymphatic drainage in the upper limbs. The results suggest that the presence of edema is primarily attributable to an unrelated abnormality influencing lymphatic function.