The impact of gender, level of amputation and diabetes on prosthetic fit rates following major lower extremity amputation

Davie-Smith, F., Paul, L., Nicholls, N. , Stuart, W. P. and Kennon, B. (2017) The impact of gender, level of amputation and diabetes on prosthetic fit rates following major lower extremity amputation. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 41(1), pp. 19-25. (doi: 10.1177/0309364616628341) (PMID:26850990) (PMCID:PMC5302066)

Abstract

Background: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a leading cause of major lower extremity amputation (LEA). Objective: To examine the influence of gender, level of amputation and DM status on being fit with a prosthetic limb following LEA. Study Design: Retrospective analysis of the SPARG dataset. Results: Within the cohort (n=1735) 64% were men (n=1112) and 48% (n=834) had DM. Those with DM were younger than those without: mean 67.5 years and 71.1 years respectively (p<0.001). Trans-Tibial Amputation (TTA): Trans-Femoral Amputation (TFA) ratio was 2.33 in those with DM, and 0.93 in those without. 41% of those with DM were successfully fit with a prosthetic limb compared to 38% of those without DM. Male gender positively predicted fitting with a prosthetic limb at both TTA (p=0.001) and TFA (p=0.001) levels. Bilateral amputations and increasing age were negative predictors of fitting with a prosthetic limb (p<0.001). DM negatively predicted fitting with a prosthetic limb at TFA level (p<0.001). Mortality was 17% for the cohort, 22% when the amputation was at TFA level. Conclusion: Those with DM were younger, with more TTA, both are good predictors of fitting with a prosthetic limb, despite this, successful limb fit rates were no better than those without DM.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Nicholls, Dr Natalie and Kennon, Professor Brian and Paul, Dr Lorna
• Authors: Davie-Smith, F., Paul, L., Nicholls, N., Stuart, W. P., and Kennon, B.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Nursing and Health Care
• Journal Name: Prosthetics and Orthotics International
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 0309-3646
• ISSN (Online): 1746-1553
• Published Online: 05 February 2016
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics
• First Published: First published in Prosthetics and Orthotics International 41
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence