Major lower limb amputation in diabetic patients: development during 1982 to 1993

Area of Science:

• Diabetology
• Vascular Surgery
• Public Health

Background:

• Lower limb amputations are a severe complication of diabetes.
• Trends in amputation rates are crucial for public health interventions.
• The St. Vincent Declaration aimed to reduce diabetes-related complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends in primary major lower limb amputations among diabetic individuals from 1982-1993.
• To identify demographic and diabetes-type specific factors influencing amputation incidence.
• To assess progress towards the St. Vincent Declaration targets.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 2848 primary major lower limb amputations.
• Data collected over an 11-year period (1982-1993).
• Statistical analysis of incidence rates by sex, age group, and diabetes type.

Main Results:

• Overall amputation incidence decreased by 0.96 per year.
• The decrease was more pronounced in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients (0.92 annual decrease).
• Incidence remained constant for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients; overall reduction was 40%.

Conclusions:

• While amputation rates declined, the progress did not fully achieve the St. Vincent Declaration goals.
• Targeted interventions may be needed for non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients.
• Continued monitoring of amputation trends is essential for diabetes care.