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Major amputation incidence decreases both in non-diabetic and in diabetic patients in Helsinki

E Eskelinen1, A Eskelinen, A Albäck

  • 1Department of Vascular Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. elina.eskelinen@fimnet.fi

Scandinavian Journal of Surgery : SJS : Official Organ for the Finnish Surgical Society and the Scandinavian Surgical Society
|October 28, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Major lower limb amputations decreased in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients. This reduction in diabetes-related amputations and critical leg ischemia amputations highlights improved prevention strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Surgery
  • Diabetology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Diabetes mellitus is a significant risk factor for lower extremity amputations.
  • Critical leg ischemia also leads to major lower limb amputations.
  • Understanding amputation trends is crucial for preventative strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate changes in diabetes-related lower extremity amputations.
  • To compare amputation rates in diabetic versus non-diabetic patients with critical leg ischemia.
  • To analyze amputation trends over a 13-year period.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 1094 major lower limb amputations for vascular disease.
  • Data collected from 1990-2002 in Helsinki.
  • Comparison of amputation incidence between diabetic and non-diabetic groups across three time periods.

Main Results:

  • A 23% reduction in major amputations for diabetic patients from 1990-2002.
  • A 40% decrease in amputations for non-diabetic patients during the same period.
  • A 33% decrease in amputation incidence per million individuals with diabetes.

Conclusions:

  • Amputation rates have declined in both diabetic and non-diabetic populations.
  • Increased focus on amputation prevention strategies likely contributed to the observed decrease.
  • Vascular surgeons play a key role in reducing lower limb amputations.
Abstract

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