{"title":"Patients Experience Significant Long-Term Social and Health Challenges After Major Lower Extremity Amputation","authors":"","doi":"10.1016/j.avsg.2024.07.087","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><p>Major lower extremity amputation is a significant life-changing event that can have long-term implications. The goal of this study was to assess long-term medical outcomes and social determinants of health (SDH) challenges in this population.</p></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><p>A retrospective review of major lower extremity (previously mentioned ankle) amputations (2018–2022) was performed at a safety-net tertiary care center. Patients who participated in an SDH survey between 6 months and 1.5 years postoperatively were included for survey analysis. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and perioperative and long-term outcomes were analyzed.</p></div><div><h3>Results</h3><p>There were 100 patients included. Mean age was 61.5 years and 23% were of female gender. The majority (57%) were Black race, 20% White race, and 21% Hispanic ethnicity. Comorbidities included diabetes (78%), chronic kidney disease (51%), coronary artery disease (31%), congestive heart failure (23%), previous cerebrovascular events (19%), and 37% used opioids preadmission. At baseline, the majority (62%) lived at home. Guillotine amputation was performed in 24%, with definitive amputation in the following and previously mentioned knee in 67% and 33%, respectively. Median length of stay was 7 days. Readmission at 30 days, 90 days, and 1 year was 13%, 30%, and 43% respectively. The average follow up was 839 days. At long-term follow up, 55% lived at home, 25% used opioids, and only 25% were independently ambulatory. In the SDH survey at follow up, 32% identified at least one SDH challenge, with younger patients more often affected (58 vs. 63 years, <em>P</em> = 0.031). SDH challenges consisted of food insecurity (17%), housing insecurity (13%), transportation challenges (13%), seeking employment (8%), difficulty paying for utilities (5%) and medications (4%), seeking further education (5%), and difficulty caring for family/friends (4%). On multivariable analysis, having at least one SDH challenge was independently associated with 1-year readmission (odds ratio 6.7, 95% confidence interval 1.3–35.8, <em>P</em> < 0.001). Older age was associated with lower long-term independent ambulation (odds ratio 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.85–0.99, <em>P</em> = 0.025).</p></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>After major lower extremity amputation, patients have significant medical and social challenges with fewer living at home, the majority were not independently ambulatory, and one-third having at least one SDH challenge. Improvements in long-term support including medical, social, and rehabilitation services are required for this vulnerable population.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":8061,"journal":{"name":"Annals of vascular surgery","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.4000,"publicationDate":"2024-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Annals of vascular surgery","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0890509624004667","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"PERIPHERAL VASCULAR DISEASE","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background
Major lower extremity amputation is a significant life-changing event that can have long-term implications. The goal of this study was to assess long-term medical outcomes and social determinants of health (SDH) challenges in this population.
Methods
A retrospective review of major lower extremity (previously mentioned ankle) amputations (2018–2022) was performed at a safety-net tertiary care center. Patients who participated in an SDH survey between 6 months and 1.5 years postoperatively were included for survey analysis. Patient demographics, comorbidities, and perioperative and long-term outcomes were analyzed.
Results
There were 100 patients included. Mean age was 61.5 years and 23% were of female gender. The majority (57%) were Black race, 20% White race, and 21% Hispanic ethnicity. Comorbidities included diabetes (78%), chronic kidney disease (51%), coronary artery disease (31%), congestive heart failure (23%), previous cerebrovascular events (19%), and 37% used opioids preadmission. At baseline, the majority (62%) lived at home. Guillotine amputation was performed in 24%, with definitive amputation in the following and previously mentioned knee in 67% and 33%, respectively. Median length of stay was 7 days. Readmission at 30 days, 90 days, and 1 year was 13%, 30%, and 43% respectively. The average follow up was 839 days. At long-term follow up, 55% lived at home, 25% used opioids, and only 25% were independently ambulatory. In the SDH survey at follow up, 32% identified at least one SDH challenge, with younger patients more often affected (58 vs. 63 years, P = 0.031). SDH challenges consisted of food insecurity (17%), housing insecurity (13%), transportation challenges (13%), seeking employment (8%), difficulty paying for utilities (5%) and medications (4%), seeking further education (5%), and difficulty caring for family/friends (4%). On multivariable analysis, having at least one SDH challenge was independently associated with 1-year readmission (odds ratio 6.7, 95% confidence interval 1.3–35.8, P < 0.001). Older age was associated with lower long-term independent ambulation (odds ratio 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.85–0.99, P = 0.025).
Conclusions
After major lower extremity amputation, patients have significant medical and social challenges with fewer living at home, the majority were not independently ambulatory, and one-third having at least one SDH challenge. Improvements in long-term support including medical, social, and rehabilitation services are required for this vulnerable population.
期刊介绍:
Annals of Vascular Surgery, published eight times a year, invites original manuscripts reporting clinical and experimental work in vascular surgery for peer review. Articles may be submitted for the following sections of the journal:
Clinical Research (reports of clinical series, new drug or medical device trials)
Basic Science Research (new investigations, experimental work)
Case Reports (reports on a limited series of patients)
General Reviews (scholarly review of the existing literature on a relevant topic)
Developments in Endovascular and Endoscopic Surgery
Selected Techniques (technical maneuvers)
Historical Notes (interesting vignettes from the early days of vascular surgery)
Editorials/Correspondence