Self-reported health condition severity and ambulation status postmajor dysvascular limb loss

Individuals with dysvascular lower limb amputations (LLA) secondary to complications of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and/or diabetes have high rates of co-morbidities.

To describe self-reported health condition severity and their association with sociodemographic factors and ambulations status among individuals with major dysvascular LLA.

Cross sectional telephone and in person survey with adults with major dysvascular LLA living in the community setting in Ontario, Canada.

Survey by phone/in person, and completion of the Dysvascular Conditions Scale and Special Interest in Amputee Medicine Mobility (SIGAM) Grade by each participant.

Two hundred thirty-one individuals with major dysvascular LLAs participated in the study. Most of them were male individuals (80.5%) and had undergone a transtibial amputation (74%). On average, participants were 3.4 years postlimb loss and had five identified Dysvascular Conditions Scale health conditions. The top five reported health conditions were diabetes, hypertension, phantom limb pain, musculoskeletal pain, and back pain. With the exclusion of hypertension, these conditions were also perceived by respondents to be quite severe for their impact. Vision impairment was also rated as being severe in nature. Lower mobility Special Interest Group in Amputee Medicine grades were associated with higher health condition severity scores.

Individuals with dysvascular limb loss experience high multimorbidity with perceived negative impact on their overall wellness and function. Rehabilitation and self-management strategies to help patients with dysvascular LLAs to manage chronic health conditions may improve outcomes.