A RETROSPECTIVE SURVEY OF NONTRAUMATIC LOWER-EXTREMITY AMPUTATIONS INDIABETIC-PATIENTS IN UMBRIA, ITALY

A survey of non-traumatic lower-extremity amputations (LEAs) carried o ut in Umbria (Italy) in 1991 was made by the Cooperative Study Group o f the ''Progetto Umbria Diabete''. There had been 196 LEA, 54% of whic h were performed on diabetic patients. Sex ratios (M/F) were 3:0 for n on-diabetic and 1:1 for diabetic patients (c2=10; p=0.002). Median age at amputation was similar for both groups of patients; however, at am putation females were older both in diabetic class and in non-diabetic class. Among diabetic patients 66% of LEAs were performed below the k nee, whereas this figure was 42.2% in non-diabetic patients. No differ ences were found in post-surgical mortality and length of hospitalisat ion in the two groups of patients. These data represent the baseline e stimation in a comprehensive care programme to reduce LEAs by 50% in U mbria.