[Lower extremity amputation rates in diabetic patients]

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Public Health
• Vascular Surgery

Background:

• Diabetes Mellitus (DM) related lower extremity amputations significantly reduce patient quality of life.
• High amputation rates are a critical concern within healthcare systems globally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine and compare lower extremity amputation rates in Diabetes Mellitus (DM) patients.
• To analyze trends between 2004 and 2013 within the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS).

Main Methods:

• A comparative cross-sectional study design was employed.
• Data on amputations were extracted from the System of Medical Statistics (DataMart).
• Patient census data for DM were obtained from the System of Integral Attention to Health.

Main Results:

• Observed DM patient populations of 2,334,340 in 2004 and 3,416,643 in 2013.
• Major amputation rates per 100,000 DM patients were 100.9 (2004) and 111.1 (2013), showing a statistically significant increase (p = 0.001).
• Minor amputation rates per 100,000 DM patients were 168.8 (2004) and 162.5 (2013), with no significant change (p = 0.069).

Conclusions:

• Lower extremity amputation rates at IMSS are notably high when compared to developed countries.
• A significant increase in major lower extremity amputations was observed between 2004 and 2013.