Faculty Collaboration Database

Limb amputation and limb deficiency: epidemiology and recent trends in the United States. South Med J 2002 Aug;95(8):875-83

Date

08/23/2002

Pubmed ID

12190225

DOI

10.1097/00007611-200208000-00018

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0036337337 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   634 Citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive perspective on the epidemiology and time trends in the incidence of limb amputations and limb deficiency in the United States.

METHODS: Data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project from 1988 through 1996 were used to calculate rates of congenital deficiency, trauma-related, cancer-related, and dysvascular amputations in the United States. Trends over time in adjusted rates were then examined using linear regression techniques.

RESULTS: Dysvascular amputations accounted for 82% of limb loss discharges and increased over the period studied. Over all years, the estimated increase in the rate of dysvascular amputations was 27%. Rates of trauma-related and cancer-related amputations both declined by approximately half. The incidence of congenital deficiencies remained stable.

CONCLUSIONS: The risk of amputations increased with age for all causes and was highest among blacks having dysvascular amputations. Increasing risk of dysvascular amputations, particularly among elderly and minority populations, is of concern and warrants further investigation.

Author List

Dillingham TR, Pezzin LE, MacKenzie EJ

Author

Liliana Pezzin PhD, JD Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Adult
Age Distribution
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Amputation, Traumatic
Child
Child, Preschool
Female
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Limb Deformities, Congenital
Linear Models
Male
Middle Aged
Risk Factors
Sex Distribution
United States