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Exploring Breast Implant Illness: Symptoms in the Plastic Surgery Population
Shayda Mirhaidari, Claire Oliver, Simran Chandawarkar, Meghan Brown
Summa Health
2025-01-10
Presenter: Claire Oliver
Affidavit:
Claire Oliver
Director Name: Ananth Murthy, MD
Author Category: Resident Plastic Surgery
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: Breast (Aesthetic and Recon.)
Introduction:
Breast Implant Illness (BII) encompasses over 50 non-specific symptoms, making it challenging to determine how many patients are affected. This study assessed the prevalence of BII symptoms within the plastic surgery population and investigated whether these symptoms are more common among breast implant patients.
Methods:
This was a prospective, single center control trial. 500 female patients over age 18 voluntarily completed a survey for commonly reported BII symptoms and the presence of breast implants.
Results:
Those with implants reported the following positive symptoms: 25.8% fatigue, 20% arthralgia/myalgia, 27.5% brain fog, 21.5% alopecia, 27.5% headaches, 25.8% depression, 25.8% rashes, 33.3% insomnia; 24.2% dry eye, 12.5% abdominal pain, 34.2% neck/back pain, 10.8% heat/cold intolerance, 32.5% anxiety, 9.2% weight gain. In the control group: 21.1% fatigue, 17.9% brain fog, 17% arthralgia/myalgia, 14.3% alopecia, 33.6% insomnia, 18.5% dry eyes, 19% rashes, 11.3% abdominal pain, 38.7% neck/back pain, 7.1% heat/cold intolerance, 36.3% anxiety, 15.2% depression, 4.2% weight gain. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups for any symptom (p=0.05).
Discussion:
BII symptoms are commonly observed in the plastic surgery population, but there does not appear to be a clear connection between these symptoms and the presence of breast implants. Symptoms may be too nonspecific to accurately predict who would benefit from explantation for symptomatic relief.
