The Danish Amputation Register 1972-1984.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Prosthetics & Orthotics
• Public Health Surveillance

Background:

• Established in 1972, the Danish Amputation Register (DAR) aimed to collect comprehensive data on major extremity amputations.
• The registry has evolved through two distinct phases, enhancing data collection scope and methodology over time.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document major upper and lower extremity amputations in Denmark.
• To record details of prosthetic fitting for amputees.
• To establish a national registry for epidemiological surveillance of amputations.

Main Methods:

• Phase 1 (1972-1980): Voluntary reporting from surgical departments and prosthetic manufacturers.
• Phase 2 (1978-1984): National Patient Register provided yearly data for full national coverage.
• Data compatibility across phases was ensured for age, sex, and etiology distribution.

Main Results:

• Phase 1 yielded detailed but incomplete data (approx. 5000 cases).
• Phase 2 provided less detailed but nationally comprehensive amputation data.
• Collected data allows for analysis of amputation trends, patient demographics, and prosthetic fitting.

Conclusions:

• The DAR has successfully created a valuable national dataset on amputations and prosthetics in Denmark.
• The registry's evolution demonstrates a commitment to improving data quality and coverage for public health insights.
• Future plans involve continued data processing and analysis for ongoing surveillance and research.