Updated 03/2019 | Download PDF
INTRODUCTION
Currently, 1.9 million people are living with limb loss in the United States, with an average of 507 people continuing to lose a limb every day. This results in an estimated 185,000 amputations per year (1), and this number is expected to double by the year 2050 due to increasing rates of diabetes and vascular disease (1). Among those living with limb loss, the major causes of their amputations are vascular disease (54%) – including diabetes and peripheral arterial disease – trauma (45%) and cancer (less than 2%) (2). The most common causes of pediatric amputations, however, are lawn mower accidents (3). Non-whites comprise about 42% of the limb loss population in the U.S. (1). In 2008, the diabetes related amputation rate among African Americans was nearly four times that of whites (4).
A total of 3,157 amputations were performed in Maryland hospitals in 2014. These amputations were performed for a variety of reasons, including diabetes and peripheral arterial disease complications. The following information details the trends and most current rates of amputation and diabetes in Maryland.
1. AMPUTATION TRENDS OVER TIME
According to hospital discharge data, the number of total amputations performed in Maryland was at a low in 2009 (2,736) and a high in 2014 (3,157). This overall time period represents a 5.66 % increase. A total of 28,977 amputations were performed in this time period. (See Graph 1.1)
In Maryland, the total number of upper-extremity amputations performed from 2005 to 2014 was 1,989. The year 2005 saw the most of these types of amputations (243), while the lowest incidence (162) occurred in 2011. There is a 32.92% decrease in this time period. (See Graph 1.2)
A total of 26,988 of lower-extremity amputations were performed from 2005 to 2014. The incidences of these amputations spiked to 2,994 in 2014 and were at their lowest at 2,534 in 2007. This represents a, 9.07% increase in the number of lower-extremity amputations from 2005 to 2014. (See Graph 1.3)
2. Types of Amputations Performed
150 upper-extremity amputations were reported in 2014. The most common minor upper-extremity amputation was of the fingers (127) and no major amputation procedures were reported (See Graph 2.1)
2,979 lower-extremity amputations were performed in 2014. In terms of minor lower-extremity amputations, toes (1,389) were amputated more often than part of the foot (420). For major lower-extremity amputations, below-knee (600) amputation was the most common procedure, followed by above-knee (491) procedures. (See Graph 2.2)
3. WHO LOSES A LIMB?
In 2014, most amputations were performed on individuals aged 45-64 years old, closely followed by the age group of 65-84 year olds (See Graph 3.1).
There were more than 2 times more amputations performed on male patients in Maryland than on female patients (See Graph 3.2).
Medicare recipients ranked as the most common group to have an amputation procedure followed by private insurance. (See Graph 3.3)
We can see that the African American population of Maryland bears the heaviest burden of amputation (0.067% of the African American population underwent amputations). This is evident when compared with the percentage of the white population that underwent amputations (0.039%), and with amputations in the state’s population as a whole (0.053%). (See Graph 3.4)
4. DIABETES TRENDS
In 2014, a total of 467,041 Maryland residents indicated that they had been diagnosed with diabetes at some point in their lives. The prevalence of diabetes in the adult population of Maryland increased 158% from 1994 to 2014. (See Graph 4.1)
The annual rate of existing cases of diabetes among adults in Maryland increased 70.37% from 1994 to 2014. (See Graph 4.2)
5. HEALTHCARE COSTS
For persons with a unilateral lower-extremity amputation, the two year healthcare costs, including initial hospitalization, inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient physical therapy, and purchase and maintenance of a prosthetic device, is estimated to be $91,106. The lifetime healthcare cost for persons with a unilateral lower extremity amputation is estimated to be more than $500,000 (5). It is anticipated that these healthcare costs would be higher for a person with a proximal amputation level and bilateral amputation status, due to higher prosthetic costs.
Charges represent what the hospital billed for the case, and may not represent all discharges for amputations. (See graph 5.1)
Charges represent what the hospital billed for the case, and may not represent all discharges for amputations. (See graph 5.2)
6. REFERENCES
1. Ziegler-Graham K, MacKenzie EJ, Ephraim PL, Travison TG, Brookmeyer R. Estimating the Prevalence of Limb Loss in the United States: 2005 to 2050. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation2008;89(3):422-9.
2. Coalition LLTFA. Recommendations from the 2012 Limb Loss Task Force: Roadmap for Preventing Limb Loss in America. [White Paper]. 2012 February 9-12.
3. Bryant PR, Pandian G. Acquired limb deficiencies. 1. Acquired limb deficiencies in children and young adults. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation2001;82(3B):00s3-s8.
4. Li Y, Burrows NR, Gregg EW, Albright A, Geiss LS. Declining Rates of Hospitalization for Nontraumatic Lower-Extremity Amputation in the Diabetic Population Aged 40 Years or Older: U.S., 1988-2008. Diabetes Care2012;35(2):273-7.
5. MacKenzie EJ. Health-Care Costs Associated with Amputation or Reconstruction of a Limb-Threatening Injury. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery (American)2007;89(8):1685.
It is not the intention of the Amputee Coalition to provide specific medical or legal advice but rather to provide consumers with information to better understand their health and healthcare issues. The Amputee Coalition does not endorse any specific treatment, technology, company, service or device. Consumers are urged to consult with their healthcare providers for specific medical advice or before making any purchasing decisions involving their care.
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