Global prevalence of traumatic non-fatal limb amputation

TLDR

Reliable data on global prosthetic service needs and prosthetist workforce availability are scarce. The study aims to quantify and interpret global patterns of traumatic limb amputation prevalence by cause, region, and age, and estimate the prosthetist workforce required. The authors used a Bayesian metaregression of global burden of disease data to estimate 2017 traumatic limb amputation prevalence and rates per 100,000. In 2017, 57.7 million people had traumatic limb amputations, with falls (36.2 %), road injuries (15.7 %), other transport injuries (11.2 %), and mechanical forces (10.4 %) as leading causes; the highest prevalence was in East and South Asia, followed by Western Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, high‑income North America, and Eastern Europe, and about 75,850 prosthetists would be required worldwide.

Abstract

Reliable information on both global need for prosthetic services and the current prosthetist workforce is limited. Global burden of disease estimates can provide valuable insight into amputation prevalence due to traumatic causes and global prosthetists needed to treat traumatic amputations.This study was conducted to quantify and interpret patterns in global distribution and prevalence of traumatic limb amputation by cause, region, and age within the context of prosthetic rehabilitation, prosthetist need, and prosthetist education.A secondary database descriptive study.Amputation prevalence and prevalence rate per 100,000 due to trauma were estimated using the 2017 global burden of disease results. Global burden of disease estimation utilizes a Bayesian metaregression and best available data to estimate the prevalence of diseases and injuries, such as amputation.In 2017, 57.7 million people were living with limb amputation due to traumatic causes worldwide. Leading traumatic causes of limb amputation were falls (36.2%), road injuries (15.7%), other transportation injuries (11.2%), and mechanical forces (10.4%). The highest number of prevalent traumatic amputations was in East Asia and South Asia followed by Western Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East, high-income North America and Eastern Europe. Based on these prevalence estimates, approximately 75,850 prosthetists are needed globally to treat people with traumatic amputations.Amputation prevalence estimates and patterns can inform prosthetic service provision, education and planning.