title: Skin problems of the stump in lower-limb amputees: 2. Influence on functioning in daily life.
abstract: The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of stump skin problems on functioning in daily life in lower-limb amputees. A cross-sectional study was performed by means of a questionnaire containing 9 questions assessing functioning in daily life. Question scores were added to give a total score (range 0 (no influence) to 27 (maximum negative influence)). Two thousand and thirty-nine people were invited to participate, with 805 participants completing a questionnaire. Of these, 507 reported one or more skin problems. Skin problems had a negative influence on ability to perform household tasks, prosthesis use, social functioning, and participation in sports. The mean total score was 5.5 ± 4.1. This correlated significantly with the number of skin complaints (r = 0.483; p = 0.01). In linear regression analyses, gender (β = -0.15) and number of skin problems (β = 0.25) accounted for 23% of the total score. This study confirms the influence of skin problems on functioning in daily life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Hanzeplein 1, PO Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. H.E.J.Meulenbelt@rev.umcg.nl
authors.forename: Henk E J
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Meulenbelt
authors.forename: Jan H B
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Geertzen
authors.forename: Marcel F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Jonkman
authors.forename: Pieter U
authors.initials: PU
authors.lastname: Dijkstra
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000672:Amputation Stumps / Q000473:pathology*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001186:Artificial Limbs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012737:Sex Factors; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000523:psychology*; D058992:Social Participation; D013177:Sports; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires