Declining incidence of major lower-extremity amputations in the Northern Danish Region between 2016 and 2021: The impact of diabetes and preventive vascular procedures

Johan Røikjer*, Annika Vestergaard*, Robert J Hinchliffe, et al

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

2 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background
Preventing lower-extremity amputations (LEAs) is pivotal. In the present study we aimed to examine the recent trends in non-traumatic LEAs seen in the Northern Danish Region.

Methods
Using data from the regional Business Intelligence unit we identified all non-traumatic LEAs (n=689) performed in people above 50 years of age in the Northern Danish Region between January 2016 and December 2021 (approximately 600.000 inhabitants). Persons with diabetes (n=26,025) were identified based on ICD-10 codes and data from The National Health Insurance Service Registry, while preventive vascular procedures (n=1,097) were identified using surgical codes. Major LEA was defined as any amputation above the ankle. Incidence rates were expressed as events per 1.000 person-years. Trends were described as differences between the periods 2016-2018 and 2019-2021.

Results
A total of 249 (36%) major LEAs were performed in people with diabetes. People with diabetes were younger (71 vs 77 years, p<0.001) and more frequently male (70% versus 54%, p<0.001). Between 2016-2018 and 2019-2021 the incidence of major LEA declined from 1.76 (95% CI: 1.75-1.76) to 1.39 (1.39-1.39) in people with diabetes, and from 0.47 (0.47-0.47) to 0.20 (0.20-0.20) in people without diabetes (all p<0.001). Simultaneously, the incidence of preventive vascular surgery increased from 2.26 (2.26-2.26) to 3.48 (3.48-3.48) in people with diabetes and declined slightly in people without 0.49 (0.49-0.49) to 0.47 (0.47-0.47) (all p<0.001).

Conclusion
Despite significant declines in major LEA in both people with and without diabetes, most of the decline was driven by a large reduction in major LEAs in people without diabetes. Diabetic foot, lower extremity amputation, major amputation, minor amputation, preventive vascular procedures, revascularization, vascular surgery.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)407-413
Number of pages7
JournalAnnals of Vascular Surgery
Volume109
Early online date7 Aug 2024
DOIs
Publication statusE-pub ahead of print - 7 Aug 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Elsevier Inc.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Declining incidence of major lower-extremity amputations in the Northern Danish Region between 2016 and 2021: The impact of diabetes and preventive vascular procedures'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this