MORTALITY FOLLOWING LOWER-EXTREMITY AMPUTATION IN MINORITIES WITH DIABETES-MELLITUS

The aim of this study was to identify the age adjusted and level speci fic mortality rate in African-Americans, Hispanics and non-Hispanic wh ites (NHW) during the perioperative period following a lower extremity amputation. We identified amputation data obtained from the Office of Statewide Planning and Development in California for 1991 from ICD-9- CM codes 84.11-84.18 and diabetes mellitus from any 250 related code. Amputations were categorized as foot (84.11-84.12), leg (84.13-84.16) or thigh (84.17-84.18). Death was coded under discharge status. Age ad justed and level specific mortality rates per 1000 amputees were calcu lated for each race/ethnic group. The age adjusted mortality was highe st for African-Americans (41.39) compared to Hispanics (19.69) and NHW 's (34.98). Mortality was consistently more frequent for proximal ampu tations. We conclude that mortality rates for persons with diabetes ho spitalized for an amputation varied by race, gender and level of amput ation. Higher prevalence or severity of risk factors may explain the e xcess mortality observed in African-Americans. (C) 1997 Elsevier Scien ce Ireland Ltd.