Capture-recapture method to estimate lower extremity amputation rates in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Analysis of Diabetes Mellitus-Related Amputations in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil

Background and objectives: Diabetes mellitus (DM) stands out among the most important public health problems worldwide since it represents a high burden on health systems and is associated with higher hospitalization rates, and a higher incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Amputations are among the most common complications, leading to disability and increasing care costs. This research aims to analyze the prevalence of DM-related amputations, comorbidities and associated risk factors in the diabetic population residing in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. Materials and Methods: This is a quantitative, exploratory, cross-sectional study with a time series design and the use of secondary data registered and followed by the system of Registration and Monitoring of Hypertension and Diabetes-SisHiperdia. Results: The sample consisted of 64,196 diabetic patients, out of them, 3.9% had type 1 DM, 10.9% with type 2 DM, and 85.2% with DM coexisting with hypertension. Most were female (66.6%), aged 40 to 59 years (45.6%), and 60 years and older (45.2%). The prevalence of DM-related amputations in the analyzed sample was 1.2% in type 1 DM, 1.5% in type 2 DM, and 2.2% in concomitant DM and hypertension. Higher amputation rates were observed in males in the age group above 60 years in type 1 DM and type 2 DM and were slightly higher in the age groups up to 29 years in DM with hypertension. A higher prevalence of amputation was related to smoking, physical inactivity, acute myocardial infarction (AMI), stroke, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and diabetic foot (DF) in all types of DM. Conclusions: The present study showed a significant prevalence of DM-related amputations. An increased prevalence was evidenced when correlated with smoking, physical inactivity, AMI, stroke, CKD, and DF with significant statistical associations, except for a sedentary lifestyle in type 1 DM.

Prevalência de amputações de membros superiores e inferiores no estado de Alagoas atendidos pelo SUS entre 2008 e 2015

RESUMO A amputação é um recurso terapêutico utilizado para realizar a remoção de um membro, outro apêndice ou saliência do corpo, na ocorrência de lesões graves de nervos, artérias, partes moles e ossos. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi verificar a prevalência de amputações de membros no estado de Alagoas. Tratou-se de um estudo de dados secundários, com abordagem epidemiológica e observacional, no período de 2008 a 2015. As informações foram coletadas do banco de dados do SIHSUS. Foram registrados 361.585 procedimentos de amputações de membros no Brasil, com predominância nas regiões Sudeste, Nordeste e Sul, responsáveis por 88,13% desse total. Alagoas ocupou o 21º lugar em número de amputações entre os estados brasileiros: seus procedimentos ocorreram em seis microrregiões, destas, 3 foram responsáveis por 95% dos casos. A prevalência de amputação em Alagoas foi de 19,05 amputações/100 mil habitantes. Três tipos de procedimentos apresentam maior predominância: amputação de membros inferiores, dedos, pé e tarso, o que representa 95% das amputações.

Is surgical debridement necessary in the diabetic foot treated with photodynamic therapy?

Background: Diabetic patients are susceptible to developing foot ulcers with serious complications such as osteomyelitis and amputations. Treatment approaches are still empirical and the benefit of usual procedures such as surgical debridement has not been properly evaluated. Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive and highly efficient method for the treatment of the diabetic foot, being able to eradicate the infection and to stimulate healing, decreasing considerably the amputation risk. In the day-to-day practice of our service, we have been faced with the question whether debridement is necessary before PDT. In here, we designed a study to answer that question.

Methods: Patients were divided in two groups: In one of the groups (n = 17), debridement was performed before PDT and in the other (n = 40) only PDT treatment was performed. PDT sessions were performed once a week in all patients until healing was achieved, as indicated by visual inspection as well as by radiographic and laboratory exams. At the start of the study, the two groups had no statistical differences concerning their clinical features: average age, gender, insulin use, diabetes mellitus onset time and previous amputations.

Results: PDT was effective in the treatment of 100% of the patients showing no relapses after one year of follow up. The group submitted to PDT without previous debridement had a statistically significant (p = 0.036, Mann-Whitney) shorter cure time (29 days, ~27%).

Conclusion: Our data indicates that debridement is not necessary in the treatment of diabetic foot in patients that have enough peripheral arterial perfusion. In addition, we reproduced previous studies confirming that PDT is an efficient, safe, simple and affordable treatment method for the diabetic foot.

Descriptive analysis of diabetes-related amputations at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital, Fiji, 2010-2012

SETTING

The Colonial War Memorial Hospital (CWMH) in Fiji.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the characteristics of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) who underwent lower limb amputations at the CWMH from 2010 to 2012.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective review of data contained in operating theatre registers and clinical records of DM patients who had undergone amputations during the study period.

RESULT

Of the 938 amputations performed at the CWMH during the study period, significantly more patients were male than female (54.1% vs. 45.9%) and more i-Taukei (indigenous Fijian) than Indo-Fijian (71% vs. 26.2%); 15.9% of patients had not previously been diagnosed as having DM when they presented with foot sepsis. The rate of smoking was highest in male i-Taukei patients. A large proportion of patients (76.8%) had poor glycaemic control.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that male i-Taukeis are most at risk, and that uncontrolled DM is a significant factor associated with amputations. There is a need to strengthen DM screening and improve glycaemic control. Foot care education needs to be implemented at diagnosis and re-enforced with regular clinic visits and complication screening sessions.

Use of prostheses in lower limb amputee patients due to peripheral arterial disease

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the indication of prosthesis during rehabilitation and the maintenance of their use or abandonment rate after discharge, as well as mortality of lower limb amputees due to peripheral arterial disease.

METHODS

A retrospective and cross-sectional study carried out with lower limb amputee patients, at transfemoral and transtibial levels, due to vascular conditions. The sample was composed of 310 patients (205 men, 105 women, mean age 61.8 years), transfemoral (142) and transtibial (150) levels, unilateral or bilateral (18). A total of 217 were fitted with prosthesis and 93 did not. Nonparametric statistical tests with equality of two proportions, 95% confidence interval and p value <0,05 were used.

RESULTS

Out of 195 patients we contacted, 151 were fitted with prosthesis and 44 not. Of those that were fitted with prosthesis, 54 still use it, 80 abandoned and 17 died. In the group without prosthesis, 27 were on wheelchair and 17 died. Mortality is statistically higher among patients who were not fitted with prosthesis and 34 death occur, on average, 3.91 years after amputation. Survival time of patients who were not fitted with prosthesis was smaller than those were fitted.

CONCLUSION

The use of prosthesis in lower limb amputees, due to vascular conditions, during rehabilitation is high. However, maintenance of prosthesis is not frequent after discharge. Early and high mortality is observed mainly among diabetic patients.

Diabetic foot wounds: the value of negative pressure wound therapy with instillation

Chronic wounds such as diabetic foot wounds are a tremendous burden to the health care system and often require a multidisciplinary approach to prevent amputations. Advanced technologies such as negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and bioengineered tissues have been successfully used in the treatment of these types of complex wounds. However, the introduction of NPWT with instillation (NPWTi) has provided an alternative treatment for treating complex and difficult-to-heal wounds. This article provides an overview of NPWT and the new NPWTi system and describes preliminary experience using NPWTi on patients with complicated infected diabetic foot wounds after surgical debridement and in a multidisciplinary setting.

Concordance studies between hospital discharge data and medical records for the recording of lower extremity amputation and diabetes in the Republic of Ireland

BACKGROUND

Hospital discharge data have been used to study trends in Lower Extremity Amputation (LEA) rates in people with and without diabetes. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability of routine hospital discharge data in the Republic of Ireland (RoI) for this purpose by determining the level of agreement between hospital discharge data and medical records for both the occurrence of LEA and diagnosis of diabetes.

METHODS

Two concordance studies between hospital discharge data (HIPE) and medical records were performed. To determine the level of agreement for LEA occurrence, HIPE records were compared to theatre logbooks in 9 hospitals utilising HIPE over a two-year period in a defined study area. To determine the level of agreement for diabetes diagnosis, HIPE records were compared to laboratory records in each of the 4 largest hospitals utilising HIPE over a one week period in the same study area. The proportions of positive and negative agreement and Cohen's kappa statistic of agreement were calculated.

RESULTS

During a two-year study period in 9 hospitals, 216 LEAs were recorded in both data sources. Sixteen LEAs were recorded in medical records alone and 25 LEAs were recorded in hospital discharge records alone. The proportion of positive agreement was 0.91 (95% CI 0.88-0.94), the proportion of negative agreement was 0.99 (95% CI 0.98-0.99) and the kappa statistic was 0.91 (95% CI 0.88-0.94). During a one-week study period in 4 hospitals, 49 patients with diabetes and 716 patients without diabetes were recorded in both data sources. Eighteen patients had diabetes in medical records alone and 2 patients had diabetes in hospital discharge records alone. The proportion of positive agreement was 0.83 (95% CI 0.76-0.9), the proportion of negative agreement was 0.99 (95% CI 0.98-0.99) and the kappa statistic was 0.82 (95% CI 0.75-0.89).

CONCLUSIONS

This study detected high levels of agreement between hospital discharge data and medical records for LEA and diabetes in a defined study area. Based on these findings, we suggest that HIPE is sufficiently reliable to monitor trends in LEAs in people with and without diabetes in the RoI.

Screening for the high-risk diabetic foot: a 60-second tool (2012)

People with diabetes mellitus will develop lower-limb complications, such as neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease, foot ulcers, and lower-leg amputations. Resources to control elevated hemoglobin A1c and blood pressure, along with the standardized approach using the 60-second tool (2012), can detect the high-risk diabetic foot and help prevent complications.

Pain and health-related quality of life in war veterans with bilateral lower limb amputations

Background

Amputation and pain may have considerable impact on health-related quality of life.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of pain on health-related quality of life in a population of war related bilateral lower limb amputees.

Materials and Methods

The Veterans and Martyrs Affairs Foundation (VMAF) database documented 578 patients with bilateral lower limb amputation; 335 consented to the study (response rate = 58%). The majority of participants in the sample were males (96.7%). Types of pain were investigated using a questionnaire. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) was investigated using the sf-36 questionnaire.

Results

About two third of amputees reported phantom pain 66.7% (n = 223) and vertebral column pain 60.9% (n = 204). The most common type of pain was lumbosacral pain 52.8 % (n = 177) followed by neck 18.2 % (n = 61) and thoracic pain 9.6% (n = 32). Back pain affected on vitality, social function, mental health and mental component scale in our cases (P < 0.05). Neck pain affected all components of health-related quality of life (P < 0.05). Thoracic pain affected quality of life significantly (P < 0.05). The results obtained from logistic regression analysis indicated that none of the three spinal column pains including neck, thoracic and lumbosacral pain resulted in poor physical or mental component scales.

Conclusions

This study revealed that bilateral lower limb amputees suffer from different types of pain and poor health-related quality of life. Therefore, the assessment and management of all types of pain are necessary to improve quality of life in veterans.

Physical activity and quality of life of amputees in southern Brazil

BACKGROUND

Physical activity is a positive component of human health. Its effects are associated with improvement in physical, psychological and social aspects of quality of life. Physical activity is therefore an important factor in the rehabilitation of amputees.

OBJECTIVE

To analyse the relationship between physical activity and quality of life for amputees in southern Brazil.

STUDY DESIGN

Descriptive, cross-sectional design with nonrandomized sample.

METHODS

A total of 40 questionnaire instruments were distributed to subjects who met the inclusion criteria, with a response rate of 55% (22 individuals, n = 15 males, n = 7 females). Outcome measurements were obtained through the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and World Health Organization Quality of Life-Bref.

RESULTS

The sample was characterized by physically active adult male prosthetic users with positive quality of life, and amputation below the right knee caused by mechanical trauma related to traffic accidents with motorcycles. Significant correlations were identified between all domains of quality of life and between level of physical activity and psychological quality of life. No correlation was identified between gender and quality of life variables or physical activity levels.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that in very active amputees of both genders, level of physical activity is not associated with quality of life except for the psychological domain.

Quality assessment of capture-recapture studies in resource-limited countries

OBJECTIVES

Resource-limited countries often lack robust routine surveillance systems to accurately assess the burden of human attributes and diseases. In these settings capture-recapture analysis can be an alternative tool to obtain prevalence and incidence rates. Performance of capture-recapture analyses in resource-limited countries has not been systematically reviewed.

METHODS

Systematic review of the performance of capture-recapture analyses in the categories of human attributes, non-infectious and infectious diseases in resource-limited countries, assessing individual study quality criteria and a minimum quality criterion per category, using PRISMA methodology.

RESULTS

A total of 1671 potentially relevant PubMed citations were screened, resulting in 52 eligible publications: 36% in human attributes, i.e. hidden populations, injuries and mortality; 48% in non-infectious and 15% in infectious disease categories. Twenty-one per cent of selected studies were from low income countries, 40% from lower-middle-income countries and 38% from upper-middle-income countries. Thirteen per cent achieved good individual study quality criteria, 25% were intermediate and 19% were poor. Of the good studies, six were performed on human attributes and one on a non-infectious disease. The proportions of publications meeting the minimum quality criterion per category were 42%, 20% and 37%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Few capture-recapture studies in resource-limited countries achieved good individual quality criteria and a minority met the minimum quality criterion per category. Capture-recapture techniques in these settings should be carefully considered and implemented rigorously and are not a panacea for strengthening of routine surveillance systems.

Prevalência e fatores de risco da doença arterial periférica sintomática e assintomática em hospital terciário, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

CONTEXTO: Doença arterial periférica é caracterizada pelo índice tornozelo-braquial (ITB) < 0,90, em indivíduos ≥ 40 anos, aumentando a prevalência com a idade. OBJETIVO: Detectar a prevalência de doença arterial periférica assintomática e sintomática, com introdução do ITB, associada a fatores de risco demarcados. MÉTODOS: Coorte descritiva identificada em unidade hospitalar terciária de angiologia, de dezembro de 2006 a dezembro de 2007, com idade ≥ 30 anos. Doenças pregressas e fatores de risco foram analisados associados à prevalência. ITB < 0,90 e questionário padronizado definiram doença arterial periférica sintomática com claudicação e assintomática com ausência de claudicação, ambas comparadas aos sem doença arterial periférica (ITB 0,90-1,30). A análise estatística utilizou programa SPSS, com significância de p < 0,05. RESULTADOS: Dos 407 pacientes, 248 apresentaram doença arterial periférica, sendo 52,2% do sexo feminino, com média de idade de 70,1±10,2 anos (p < 0,005). A prevalência de 60,9% (IC95% 56-66) foi subdividida em: assintomática, 10,1% (IC95% 6,3-13,8); e sintomática, 89,9% (IC95% 86,2-93,7). Destes, 32,2% (IC95% 26,4-38,1) apresentaram isquemia crítica. Ajustada por sexo e idade, a prevalência aumenta significativamente entre 55-74 anos, com predomínio do feminino (1,35:1) nos indivíduos acima de 74 anos. A prevalência dos assintomáticos e sintomáticos foi influenciada por tabagismo, hipertensão, diabéticos autorreferidos e confirmados, sobrepeso, infarto agudo do miocárdio e acidente vascular encefálico (p < 0,005). A média do ITB foi mais baixa nos sintomáticos (0,57±0,17) (p < 0,005). CONCLUSÃO: O ITB detectou doença arterial periférica com graus variáveis de gravidade associada a fatores de risco, identificando os assintomáticos não-claudicantes e os sintomáticos em unidade terciária.

Developing Core Sets for persons following amputation based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as a way to specify functioning

Amputation is a common late stage sequel of peripheral vascular disease and diabetes or a sequel of accidental trauma, civil unrest and landmines. The functional impairments affect many facets of life including but not limited to: Mobility; activities of daily living; body image and sexuality. Classification, measurement and comparison of the consequences of amputations has been impeded by the limited availability of internationally, multiculturally standardized instruments in the amputee setting. The introduction of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) by the World Health Assembly in May 2001 provides a globally accepted framework and classification system to describe, assess and compare function and disability. In order to facilitate the use of the ICF in everyday clinical practice and research, ICF core sets have been developed that focus on specific aspects of function typically associated with a particular disability. The objective of this paper is to outline the development process for the ICF core sets for persons following amputation. The ICF core sets are designed to translate the benefits of the ICF into clinical routine. The ICF core sets will be defined at a Consensus conference which will integrate evidence from preparatory studies, namely: (a) a systematic literature review regarding the outcome measures of clinical trails and observational studies, (b) semi-structured patient interviews, (c) international experts participating in an internet-based survey, and (d) cross-sectional, multi-center studies for clinical applicability. To validate the ICF core sets field-testing will follow. Invitation for participation: The development of ICF Core Sets is an inclusive and open process. Anyone who wishes to actively participate in this process is invited to do so.

F. Fatores predisponentes para amputação de membro inferior em pacientes diabéticos internados com pés ulcerados no estado de Sergipe

OBJETIVO: Determinar os fatores predisponentes para a amputação de membros inferiores nos doentes internados com diabetes melito e úlceras nos pés. MÉTODOS: Foram acompanhados os pacientes diabéticos com úlceras nos pés internados no período de 6 meses e analisadas as amputações nesses doentes em relação à idade, sexo, amputação prévia, número de ulcerações, tempo de diagnóstico do diabete, tempo de ulceração, tempo médio de internação, gravidade das lesões, presença de pulso. RESULTADOS: Verificou-se que 55% (44/80) dos doentes evoluíram para algum tipo de amputação de membros inferiores; a mediana das idades foi de 61 anos, porém a ocorrência de amputação foi significativamente maior na faixa etária dos 60 aos 90 anos (P = 0,03). Não se observou uma variação significativa da mediana do tempo de diagnóstico do diabetes, do tempo de ulceração e do tempo médio de internação em relação ao grupo de pacientes que foram amputados. Entretanto, as lesões mais graves, quando avaliadas pela classificação de Wagner (P <0,001) e pela ausência de detecção dos dois pulsos distais (P <0,001) dos membros inferiores, revelaram-se bastante significativas com relação ao desfecho de amputação. CONCLUSÃO: Foram considerados fatores predisponentes para a ocorrência de amputação nesses doentes a gravidade das lesões, a ausência de pulsos e as idades acima de 60 anos.

O desafio da aplicação da metodologia de captura-recaptura na vigilância do diabetes mellitus em idosos: lições de uma experiência no Brasil

O presente estudo buscou avaliar a factibilidade da implantação de um sistema de vigilância do diabetes mellitus na população idosa, empregando para tal fontes de dados sobre morbidade (hospitalar e ambulatorial) e mortalidade e a metodologia de captura-recaptura. Modelos loglineares foram ajustados para o conjunto da amostra e nos estratos formados pelo sexo e a faixa etária. Setecentos e quarenta pacientes foram identificados no conjunto das fontes. O modelo selecionado para o conjunto da amostra estimou um total de 22.925 casos (IC90%: 11.354-57.269), que é implausivelmente elevado sugerindo uma forte dependência negativa final entre as fontes. A estratificação segundo sexo e faixa etária levou a valores pontuais mais plausíveis, embora ainda imprecisos. O único estrato que apresentou valores precisos foi o de mulheres com 60 a 69 anos (1.290 casos; IC90%: 779-2.476). Os fatores que possivelmente explicam estes resultados são: (a) o número pequeno dos casos captados na fonte ambulatorial atendidos em unidades especializadas e de maior complexidade; (b) o sub-registro do diabetes.

Amputation as a marker of the quality of foot care in diabetes

Strategic targets for the management of foot ulcers focus on reducing the incidence of amputation. While data on the incidence of amputation can be obtained relatively easily, the figures require very careful interpretation. Variation in the definition of amputation, population selection and the choice of numerator and denominator make comparisons difficult. Major and minor amputation have to be distinguished as they are undertaken for different reasons and are associated with different costs and functional implications. Many factors influence the decision of whether or not to remove a limb. In addition to disease severity, co-morbidities, and social and individual patient factors, many aspects of the structure of care services affect this decision, including access to primary care, quality of primary care, delays in referral, availability and quality of specialist resources, and prevailing medical opinion. It follows that a high incidence of amputation can reflect a higher disease prevalence, late referral, limited resources, or a particularly interventionist approach by a specialist team. Conversely, a low incidence of amputation can indicate a lower disease prevalence or severity, good management of diabetes in primary and secondary care, or a particularly conservative approach by an expert team. An inappropriately conservative approach could conceivably enhance suffering by condemning a person to months of incapacity before they die with an unhealed ulcer. The reported annual incidence of major amputation in industrialised countries ranges from 0.06 to 3.83 per 10(3) people at risk. Some centres have documented that the incidence is falling, but this is often from a baseline value that was unusually high. Other centres have reported that the incidence has not changed. The ultimate target is to achieve not only a decrease in incidence, but also a low overall incidence. This must be accompanied by improvements in morbidity, mortality, and patient function and mood.

Reduction in diabetes-related lower-extremity amputations in The Netherlands: 1991-2000

OBJECTIVE

Lower-extremity amputation is a common complication among patients with diabetes throughout the world. However, few data exist on the actual impact of the recent moves to improve the management of diabetic foot ulcers to reduce the incidence of lower-extremity amputations. The aim was to determine the incidence of lower-extremity amputations among diabetic patients from 1991 to 2000 in The Netherlands.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A secondary database containing information regarding all hospital admissions in which a lower-extremity amputation occurred for the years 1991-2000 was obtained from the Dutch National Medical Register. Because a patient-unique identifier was included, multiple amputations and hospitalizations for a single individual could be identified. Furthermore, age- and sex-specific diabetes prevalence rates were calculated using a 3-year average for every year, calculating the total diabetic population in the Netherlands at risk for every year.

RESULTS

In 1991, a total of 1,687 patients with diabetes had been admitted 1,865 times for 2,409 amputations. In 2000, a total of 1,673 patients with diabetes were admitted 1,932 times for 2,448 amputations. The overall incidence rates of the number of patients who underwent lower-extremity amputation decreased over the years from 55.0 to 36.3 per 10,000 patients with diabetes (P < 0.05). Both in men (71.8 vs. 46.1, P < 0.05) and women (45.0 vs. 28.0, P < 0.05) with diabetes, a significant decrease could be observed. Mean duration of hospitalization decreased from 45.0 days (SD 44.4) in 1991 to 36.2 days (SD 38.4) in 2000; decreases were observed for both men and women.

CONCLUSIONS

Over the years observed in this study, the incidence rates of diabetes-related lower-extremity amputation in The Netherlands was found to decrease in both men (36%) and women (38%) with diabetes. Furthermore, the duration of hospitalization decreased over time.

Epidemiology of limb loss and congenital limb deficiency: a review of the literature

OBJECTIVE

To examine the state of research on population-based studies of the incidence of limb amputation and birth prevalence of limb deficiency.

DATA SOURCES

A total of 18 publication databases were searched, including MEDLINE, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library.

STUDY SELECTION

The search was performed by using a hierarchical process. Articles were reviewed for inclusion by 3 reviewers. Inclusion criteria included defined catchment area, calculation of population-based incidence rates, defined etiology of limb loss, and English language. Review articles, animal studies, case reports, cohort studies, letters, and editorials were excluded.

DATA EXTRACTION

Figures on the estimated incidence of amputation and birth prevalence of congenital limb deficiency were gleaned from selected reports and assembled into a table format by etiology.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The studies varied in scope, quality, and methodology, making comparisons between studies difficult. Incidence rates of acquired amputation varied greatly between and within nations. Rates of all-cause acquired amputation ranged from 1.2 first major amputations per 10,000 women in Japan to 4.4 per 10,000 men in the Navajo Nation in the United States between 1992 and 1997. Consistent among all nations, the risk of amputation was greatest among persons with diabetes mellitus.

CONCLUSIONS

Surveillance of congenital limb deficiency exists in much of the developed world. Existing studies of acquired amputation suffer from a host of methodologic problems. Future efforts should be directed toward the application of standardized measures and methods to enable trends to be evaluated over time and comparisons to be made within and between countries.