Trends in Rates of Lower Extremity Amputation Among Patients With End-stage Renal Disease Who Receive Dialysis

Abstract

Although rates of lower extremity amputations among US patients with ESRD who receive dialysis decreased by 51% during a recent 15-year period, mortality rates remained high, with nearly half of patients dying within a year after lower extremity amputation. Our results highlight the need for more research on ways to prevent lower extremity amputation in this extremely high-risk population.