Limb Amputation and Limb Deficiency: Epidemiology and Recent Trends in the United States

TLDR

This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology and temporal trends of limb amputations and deficiencies in the United States using HCUP data from 1988 to 1996. The authors calculated adjusted rates of congenital, trauma‑related, cancer‑related, and dysvascular amputations from HCUP data and analyzed temporal trends with linear regression. Dysvascular amputations comprised 82% of limb‑loss discharges and rose 27% over the study period, while trauma‑related and cancer‑related amputations fell by roughly half, congenital deficiencies remained stable, and the risk of dysvascular amputations was higher in older adults and black patients, underscoring a growing concern for vulnerable populations.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive perspective on the epidemiology and time trends in the incidence of limb amputations and limb deficiency in the United States.Data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project from 1988 through 1996 were used to calculate rates of congenital deficiency, trauma-related, cancer-related, and dysvascular amputations in the United States. Trends over time in adjusted rates were then examined using linear regression techniques.Dysvascular amputations accounted for 82% of limb loss discharges and increased over the period studied. Over all years, the estimated increase in the rate of dysvascular amputations was 27%. Rates of trauma-related and cancer-related amputations both declined by approximately half. The incidence of congenital deficiencies remained stable.The risk of amputations increased with age for all causes and was highest among blacks having dysvascular amputations. Increasing risk of dysvascular amputations, particularly among elderly and minority populations, is of concern and warrants further investigation.