FATHER SATURNINO URIOS UNIVERSITY

San Francisco St. Butuan City 8600, Region XIII Caraga,

Philippines
Nursing Program

EVIDENCE-BASED READING NO. _____

Name of Student: Marvie Joy M. Torralba Section& Group: BSN II- N25/Group 14

Title/ Topic

Edema: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Causes

Research Findings
The intracellular and extracellular spaces are where fluids are stored in the human body. About
one-third of the whole body's water comes from the extracellular space, which is further
broken down into the extravascular interstitial space (75%) and intravascular plasma volume
(25%) for further analysis. Hydrostatic and oncotic pressures, which Starling defined, keep the
fluid balance between these compartments in check. Lymphatic function and vessel wall
permeability are the other two crucial elements in fluid balance. The vasculature receives fluid
and purified proteins that have been collected by the lymphatic system from the interstitial
space. The accumulation of fluid in interstitial space, often known as edema, is caused by any
disruption in this delicate balance that impairs lymphatic fluid return or net filtration out of the
vascular space. Edema can affect any portion of the body and, depending on the underlying
pathophysiology, can range from minor swelling to full-blown anasarca. Insect bites are a
common cause of localized edema. Nephrotic syndrome is one condition that exhibits anasarca.

Conclusion
Venous insufficiency is the most frequent cause of peripheral edema in adults over the age of
50. Although it is a result of aging, it can afflict people of any age due to several different
comorbid illnesses that are underlying causes, including heart failure, renal failure, liver failure,
and trauma. Pregnancy can also frequently result in peripheral edema. The first focus of the
checkup should be on ruling out significant systemic causes, such as renal, liver, and heart
failure. A comprehensive history and physical examination are therefore essential to avoid
performing unneeded tests. Chest radiography, an EKG, and serum brain natriuretic peptide
(BNP) levels should all be evaluated when systemic reasons, such as in CHF, are suspected. The
basic metabolic profile, which includes blood creatinine and urinalysis to detect proteinuria, are
the primary laboratory tests in renal disease. Based on these tests, echocardiography can be
acquired for additional assessment. If the likelihood of renal illness is high, a renal ultrasound
can be performed to rule out intrinsic disease.

Analysis
Several diseases, including severe heart failure, liver illness, and localized swelling brought on
by an allergic reaction frequently appear as peripheral edema. As a result, the prognosis is
based on the underlying disease process. If peripheral edema is not treated promptly, it can be
an indication of numerous systemic disorders and cause significant morbidity and mortality.
Heart, liver, and renal conditions are the most crucial illnesses to rule out. Hence, to reduce
complications, it is crucial for these patients to receive a thorough history and physical,
followed by pertinent tests.

References:

 Lent-Schochet, D., & Jialal, I. (2022, May 8). Physiology, Edema. PubMed; StatPearls
Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537065/
 UpToDate. (n.d.). Www.uptodate.com. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/edema-
swelling-beyond-the-basics
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