title: Early predictors for lower extremity amputation in a diabetic population: results of a case-controlled study.
abstract: Lower extremity amputation is devastating to any person and is a very real complication for a diabetic. Identifying early risk factors is tantamount to saving a limb. This study used the national hospital discharge survey to identify 2206 control patients and 2098 diabetic patients with a lower extremity amputation. These patients were not limited based on gender or race as in previous studies. The results show that nephropathy and retinopathy are early predictors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Podiatry and Research Institute, St. Lukes Hospital & Health Network, Bethlehem, PA, USA. smithsr72@aol.com
authors.forename: Stacey R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Greenberg