Diabetes-related lower-limb amputations in Australia.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the prevalence of diabetes-related lower-limb amputations and its regional variations in Australia.


METHODS
Cross-sectional analysis of a hospital morbidity dataset in Australia.


METHODS
Analysis of the National Hospital Morbidity Database of all hospital separations for the ICD codes 84.10-84.19 (lower-limb amputations) and 250.0-250.9 (diabetes and its complications) for the financial years 1995-96 to 1997-98.


METHODS
Number of lower-limb amputations in people with diabetes mellitus in Australia, and in each State and Territory.


RESULTS
7887 diabetes-related lower-limb amputations were reported during the study period, with a mean +/- SD of 2629 +/- 47 per year. The prevalence in Australia was 13.97 per 100,000 total population, and varied from 11.34 per 100,000 in the Australian Capital Territory to 20.68 per 100,000 in South Australia.


CONCLUSIONS
Diabetes-related lower-limb amputation poses a substantial personal and public health cost in Australia.
Payne
C B
CB
Department of Podiatry, School of Human Biosciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, VIC. c.payne@latrobe.edu.au
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016208:Databases, Factual; D017719:Diabetic Foot / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution