OBJECTIVE: To assess trends in lower limb amputation performed in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities. METHODS: All lower limb amputations recorded in the Patient Treatment File for 1989-1998 were analyzed using the hospital discharge as the unit of analysis. Age-specific rates were calculated using the VHA user-population as the denominator. Frequency tables and linear, logistic, and Poisson regression were used respectively to assess trends in amputation numbers, reoperation rates, and age-specific amputation rates. RESULTS: Between 1989-1998, there were 60,324 discharges with amputation in VHA facilities. Over 99.9% of these were in men and constitute 10 percent of all US male amputations. The major indications were diabetes (62.9%) and peripheral vascular disease alone (23.6%). The age-specific rates of major amputation in the VHA are higher than US rates of major amputation. VHA rates of major and minor amputation declined an average of 5% each year, while the number of diabetes-associated amputations remained the same. CONCLUSION: The number and age-specific rates of amputations decreased over 10 years despite an increase in the number of veterans using VHA care.
OBJECTIVE: To assess trends in lower limb amputation performed in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facilities. METHODS: All lower limb amputations recorded in the Patient Treatment File for 1989-1998 were analyzed using the hospital discharge as the unit of analysis. Age-specific rates were calculated using the VHA user-population as the denominator. Frequency tables and linear, logistic, and Poisson regression were used respectively to assess trends in amputation numbers, reoperation rates, and age-specific amputation rates. RESULTS: Between 1989-1998, there were 60,324 discharges with amputation in VHA facilities. Over 99.9% of these were in men and constitute 10 percent of all US male amputations. The major indications were diabetes (62.9%) and peripheral vascular disease alone (23.6%). The age-specific rates of major amputation in the VHA are higher than US rates of major amputation. VHA rates of major and minor amputation declined an average of 5% each year, while the number of diabetes-associated amputations remained the same. CONCLUSION: The number and age-specific rates of amputations decreased over 10 years despite an increase in the number of veterans using VHA care.
Authors: Jaiben George; Suparna M Navale; Emmanuel M Nageeb; Gannon L Curtis; Alison K Klika; Wael K Barsoum; Michael A Mont; Carlos A Higuera Journal: Clin Orthop Relat Res Date: 2018-10 Impact factor: 4.176
Authors: Margaret G Stineman; Pui L Kwong; Jibby E Kurichi; Janet A Prvu-Bettger; W Bruce Vogel; Greg Maislin; Barbara E Bates; Dean M Reker Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2008-10 Impact factor: 3.966
Authors: Barbara E Bates; Jibby E Kurichi; Clifford R Marshall; Dean Reker; Greg Maislin; Margaret G Stineman Journal: Arch Phys Med Rehabil Date: 2007-10 Impact factor: 3.966