Metabolic and body composition changes in first year following traumatic amputation

Area of Science:

• Physiology
• Metabolic Medicine
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Traumatic amputation can lead to significant alterations in body composition, including muscle atrophy and increased adiposity.
• Understanding these changes is crucial for optimizing recovery and long-term health in military personnel.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify changes in weight, body composition, and metabolic rate during the first year post-traumatic amputation in military servicemembers.
• To compare these changes with a control group of servicemembers without amputation.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal study measuring weight, body composition (muscle mass, fat mass), and metabolic rate.
• Participants assessed at baseline (within 12 weeks) and at 6, 9, and 12 months post-amputation.
• Included unilateral and bilateral amputation groups, plus a non-amputee control group.

Main Results:

• Significant weight and body mass index increase in the unilateral amputation group from baseline to 12 months (p < 0.01).
• Increased total and trunk fat mass in both amputation groups, though not statistically significant over time.
• Muscle mass increased in both unilateral and bilateral groups, despite a decrease in lean mass percentage.

Conclusions:

• Weight significantly increases in the first year after unilateral and bilateral traumatic amputations.
• This weight gain is attributed to increases in both fat mass and muscle mass.
• No significant changes were observed in resting metabolism or walking energy expenditure.