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