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

• Published in: Einstein (São Paulo, Brazil) Vol. 12; no. 4; pp. 440 - 446
• Main Author: Chamlian, Therezinha Rosane
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein 01.10.2014
• Subjects: Age Factors; Aged; Amputados/reabilitação; Amputação/reabilitação; Amputees - rehabilitation; Amputees - statistics & numerical data; Artificial Limbs - statistics & numerical data; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Complications - mortality; Doença arterial periférica/complicações; Extremidade inferior/cirurgia; Female; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Logistic Models; Lower Extremity; Male; MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL; Middle Aged; Mortalidade; Original; Peripheral Arterial Disease - mortality; Peripheral Arterial Disease - rehabilitation; Próteses e implantes; Recovery of Function; Retrospective Studies; Sex Factors; Treatment Outcome; Peripheral arterial diseases/complications; Prostheses and implants; Próteses e implantes; Amputation/rehabilitation; Extremidade inferior/cirurgia; Mortality; Amputados/reabilitação; Peripheral arterial disease; Lower extremity; Amputees/rehabilitation; Amputação/reabilitação; Mortalidade; Doença arterial periférica/complicações
• ISSN: 1679-4508; 2317-6385; 2317-6385
• DOI: 10.1590/S1679-45082014AO3132

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. 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. 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. 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.