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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2016; 124(09): 535-540
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-109260
Article
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

The Diabetic Foot in a Multidisciplinary Team Setting. Number of Amputations below Ankle Level and Mortality

T. E. Wilbek
3   Department of Endocrinology, University of Copenhagen, Bispebjerg Hospital, Denmark
,
R. B. Jansen
3   Department of Endocrinology, University of Copenhagen, Bispebjerg Hospital, Denmark
,
B. Jørgensen
1   Copenhagen Diabetes Foot Center, University of Copenhagen, Bispebjerg Hospital, Denmark
2   Copenhagen Wound Healing Center, University of Copenhagen, Bispebjerg Hospital, Denmark
,
O. L. Svendsen
1   Copenhagen Diabetes Foot Center, University of Copenhagen, Bispebjerg Hospital, Denmark
2   Copenhagen Wound Healing Center, University of Copenhagen, Bispebjerg Hospital, Denmark
3   Department of Endocrinology, University of Copenhagen, Bispebjerg Hospital, Denmark
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 02 February 2016
first decision 09 May 2016

accepted 25 May 2016

Publication Date:
20 July 2016 (online)

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Abstract

Aim: To describe the number of minor lower extremity amputations and mortality for diabetes patients treated by a specialized multidisciplinary foot care team.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive study of medical records from patients with diabetes treated with minor amputations at the Copenhagen Wound Healing Center (CWHC) at Bispebjerg Hospital from 1996–2013.

Results: 777 diabetes patients treated with minor amputations were included. 77% were males and 23% were females. 80% had T2 diabetes and 20% had T1 diabetes. 89% of the patients had a foot ulcer at first contact. There was a total of 1 231 minor amputations. The amputations were mainly trans-metatarsal amputations and partial amputations of toes. There was an increase in the number of minor amputations, but there was also an increase in the number of referred diabetes patients, thus the ratio of amputations per admitted diabetes patient was constant. Time from first amputation to death was 2.5 years. The 5-year mortality rate was 43% and 52% for T1 and T2 diabetes patients, respectively.

Conclusion: Due to increased number of referred diabetes patients, the number of diabetes patients undergoing minor amputations increased over the years. Patients with diabetes, who underwent minor amputation, had a high mortality averaging 2.5 year to death; comparable to many types of cancer.

Key words

diabetes - multidisciplinary foot care team - amputations - mortality
 

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