RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 P-85  Half the community nurse case load!: estimating the prevalence of lower limb chronic oedema JF BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care JO BMJ Support Palliat Care FD British Medical Journal Publishing Group SP A40 OP A40 DO 10.1136/bmjspcare-2016-001245.108 VO 6 IS Suppl 1 A1 Benson, Margaret A1 Gaskin, Rebecca A1 Moffatt, Christine A1 Peach, Victoria A1 Faull, Christina YR 2016 UL http://spcare.bmj.com/content/6/Suppl_1/A40.2.abstract AB Background Chronic oedema has a profound impact on quality of life. It may originate from primary anatomical reasons (primary lymphoedema), be secondary to cardio-vascular dysfunction, be related to cancer or cancer treatments and is increasingly a result of obesity. The numbers of patients with chronic oedema are increasing and both hospice specialist lymphoedema and community nursing teams are over-stretched with ‘revolving door referrals. The prevalence and burden of illness and impact on care services in the UK is unknown.AimsTo determine the scale and impact of lower limb chronic oedema and wounds within Leicester City.To inform the development of an integrated community chronic oedema pathwayMethod Quantitative data was collected by community nurses following a period of training by the specialist hospice lymphoedema team. Each patient on a community nurse caseload was clinically assessed for chronic oedema and wounds and the results were recorded on a questionnaire.Data validation was undertaken by a specialist lymphoedema nurse on a random sample of 20 patients establishing a high level of agreement between raters.Results 1,308 patients were assessed. 43% had chronic oedema defined by swelling and/or skin changes. 45% of these patients had an associated wound such as venous ulcer. Risk factor analysis is being undertaken comparing those with and without oedema.Conclusion The prevalence of chronic oedema in the community nursing caseload is very high. The totality of the clinical care requirements for these patients were often unrecognised and dressings addressed as a ‘task’ in isolation of a clear management strategy.