Lower-extremity amputation risk is associated with variation in behavioral risk factor surveillance system responses

To determine whether regional variation in the rate of lower-extremity amputation (LEA) is associated with health behaviors.

This was a cross-sectional prevalence study of merged data from the U.S. Census, Medicare parts A and B, and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. We used regression models to determine whether previously described regional variation in LEA incidence was associated with responses to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Regions were created using Dartmouth Atlas Health Referral Regions.

The mean and median incidence of LEA was 4.5 per 1,000 persons with diabetes; the rate varied from 2.4 to 7.9 LEA per 1,000 persons by health referral region. Statistically significant inverse associations were found between LEA and the rate of patients reporting colorectal screening (P < 0.0001) or the participation in diabetes management classes (P = 0.018). Most other factors, including daily foot evaluations, were not associated with a decreased risk of LEA. These findings were also found to be associated with geographically clustered regions known for increased risk of LEA.

LEA is known to vary by region in the U.S., and regions with higher rates of LEA tend to be clustered together. Some of this variation may be explained by health behaviors in those regions, such as attending diabetes education classes or better health prevention habits (e.g., colon cancer screening). It should be possible to prevent unwanted LEAs by educating individuals with diabetes and foot ulcers about the need for participation in foot ulcer treatment.