Potential Economic Benefits of Lower-Extremity Amputation Prevention Strategies in Diabetes

OBJECTIVE To estimate the potential economic benefits of selected strategies from published literature—educational interventions, multidisciplinary clinics, and insurance coverage for therapeutic shoes—to reduce the incidence of lower-extremity amputation among individuals with diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We developed a model to estimate the expected incidence and associated costs of lower-extremity amputation in a hypothetical cohort of 10,000 people with diabetes. Prevention strategies were assumed to be targeted at individuals with a history of foot ulcer, and benefits were estimated over a period of 3 years. RESULTS The total potential economic benefits (discounted at 5%) of strategies to reduce amputation risk ranged from $2.0 to $3.0 million ($2,900 to $4,442 per person with a history of foot ulcer) over 3 years. Benefits were highest for educational interventions. Most benefits were found to accrue among individuals aged ≥ 70 years. CONCLUSIONS Strategies to reduce the risk of lower-extremity amputation may generate substantial economic benefits and should be a standard component of routine diabetes care. Benefits may best be achieved through a partnership of government, private payers, health care service providers and producers, and individuals with diabetes.