Socio-economic outcome of paraplegia compared to lower limb amputation.
METHODS
The socio-economic outcome was retrospectively compared between patients with traumatic lower limb amputation and those with paraplegia due to a spinal cord injury (SCI).


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of specific rehabilitative procedures on the socio-economic outcome.


METHODS
Paraplegic Centre at the University Hospital in Zurich, Switzerland.


METHODS
Accidents occurring in a collective of 1.9 million persons in Switzerland over 3 years were included in the study. Fifty-six persons with unilateral amputation of lower limbs were compared with 54 persons with paraplegia. The follow-up was assessed over 5 years.


RESULTS
The following data was obtained in patients with amputations compared to those with SCI (median values): (1) hospital stay: 150 versus 164 days; (2) the work was taken up after 689 versus 616 days; (3) the global average case costs amounted to SFr. 491.000 versus SFr. 606.000 during the first 5 years after injury; (4) the permanent degree of disability was determined to 40% versus 42%. Except for the global costs, all differences were not significant.


CONCLUSIONS
There are only a few differences between the socio-economic outcomes between patients with lower limb amputations and those with paraplegia. It remains unclear if the highly specialised rehabilitation services provided for patients with SCI accounts for the similarity since individuals with SCI have additional neurogenic dysfunction of the bladder and bowel. Alternatively, the data may suggest a need for greater rehabilitation services for amputees or may reflect a threshold effect in rehabilitation outcomes.
Cavigelli
A
A
ParaCare, Paraplegic Centre, University Hospital Balgrist, Zürich, Switzerland.
Fischer
R
R
Dietz
V
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000191:economics* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000601:surgery; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000191:economics* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010415:Pensions; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000191:economics* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013557:Switzerland; D014478:Unemployment