Original Research
The profile of people undergoing lower limb amputations at Groote Schuur Hospital
Submitted: 05 October 2022 | Published: 14 February 2024
About the author(s)
Katleho Limakatso, Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South AfricaJenna Tucker, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Lennie Banda, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Cheyne Robertson, Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Romy Parker, Department of Anaesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
Abstract
Background: The annual incidence of lower limb amputations (LLA) at Groote Schuur Hospital is rising gradually. However, little is known about the sociodemographic and clinical profiles of people undergoing these limb amputations.
Objectives: To collect and analyse data to describe the sociodemographic, health and amputation profiles of people who have undergone LLA at Groote Schuur Hospital.
Method: A descriptive retrospective chart review was conducted using a sample of 107 participants who had undergone LLA at Groote Schuur Hospital between January 2019 and July 2020. A customised assessment tool was used to extract data on the sociodemographic, health and amputation profiles of patients who had LLA. Data were analysed descriptively.
Results: Sixty per cent of the patients who had undergone LLA at Groote Schuur Hospital were women. Most of the patients were over the age of 60 years and had not completed school and were pensioners or unemployed, with very low income and multiple co-morbidities including poorly controlled diabetes.
Conclusions: Complications because of uncontrolled diabetes were the primary indication for LLAs at Groote Schuur Hospital. Therefore, health literacy projects are indicated to address chronic diseases of lifestyle, which, in turn, may reduce the overall burden of LLA, particularly on the South African under-resourced healthcare system.
Contribution: The results of this study may help us identify key factors that predispose patients to LLAs. Consequently, this may help us identify key areas for prevention and better management of diseases that can result in complications that indicate the need for amputation.
Keywords
Sustainable Development Goal
Metrics
Total abstract views: 816Total article views: 927
Crossref Citations
1. The crucial nexus of lower extremity amputation and prosthetic attainment
Cedric Keutcha Kamani, Laura M. Drudi
Journal of Vascular Surgery vol: 80 issue: 3 first page: 882 year: 2024
doi: 10.1016/j.jvs.2024.04.047