A case-control study of the risk factors for toe amputation in a diabetic population.

Toe amputations are becoming more prevalent in the diabetic population. To prevent toe amputations, those individuals with the highest risk must be identified prior to developing a precipitating event. There are obvious risk factors for toe amputations, such as digital deformity, diabetic neuropathy, and ischemia. Other, less obvious, systemic comorbidities may be linked to toe amputations. This study also shows that gender plays a significant role as a risk factor for toe amputation. A foot infection, foot abscess, osteomyelitis, diabetic retinopathy, and diabetic nephropathy were also significant risk factors for toe amputations. This suggests a significant relationship between these complications and comorbidities that put these individuals at a higher risk for toe amputations.