Purpose: To examine patterns of diabetic lower extremity amputation (LEA), a severe but preventable complication of diabetes, in South Carolina. Methods: 1996-1998 hospital discharge data and emergency room visit (ER) data were linked by patient identifiers. Patients with LEA were identified by ICD-9 codes. LEA rates were calculated by using 1997 population data as denominator. Results: Among 120,411 patients with diabetes, 3,866 (3.2%) patients had 5,017 LEA procedures in 1996-1998. Number of patients who had LEA(s) increased from 1,146 in 1996 to 1,486 in 1998. LEA rates increased with age, and were the highest (210 per 100,000 population) among people age 80 years and older. LEA rates among African-Americans (65 and 52 per 100,000 for women and men) were significantly greater that that among whites (18 and 28 per 100,000). Twelve out of 16 counties with high LEA rate (>45) are in southeastern region of the state, and far away from major hospitals. Among 1,486 patients with LEA in 1998, 1,066 either visited ER or were hospitalized for many times prior to receive LEA procedure. Conclusions: African-American woman and elderly with diabetes are at great risk of LEA. Diabetes Initiative of S.C and The Diabetes Control Program have a 10 year Strategic Plan to reduce the risks of LEA in people with diabetes.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to: 1. Define groups at high risk of diabetic amputation; 2. Describe epidemiologic patterns of diabetic amputation; 3. Prioritize preventions of diabetic amuptation among special groups; 4. Analyze hospital discharge data and emergency room visit data for diabetic amputation
Keywords: Diabetes, Epidemiology
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.