title: Diabetes-related major lower limb amputation in Far North Queensland, 1998-2008.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report on the accuracy of reports of diabetes-related major amputations, rates per 100000 people and trends over the 10-year period from 1998-99 to 2007-08 in Far North Queensland.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three data sources were cross-checked. Poisson regression was used to calculate the percentage change in trends in diabetes amputation hospitalisations over the period. RESULTS; There was a discrepancy of 6 (3.7%) in 161 cases over 10 years. The number of diabetes-related hospitalisations for major lower limb amputation did not show a significant trend during this period, with an annual percentage change of -0.32%, P=0.915.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Amputation data in Far North Queensland were accurate. There was a modest reduction in the hospitalisation rate for major lower limb amputation over the 10-year period, demonstrating the need for improvements in the organisation of care.
authors.affiliation: Diabetes Centre, Cairns Base Hospital, Cairns, Qld 4870, Australia. sharon_o'rourke@health.qld.gov.au
authors.forename: Sharon R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: O'Rourke
authors.forename: Christina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Steffen
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Raulli
authors.forename: Fiona J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Tulip
mesh_terms: D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D011793:Queensland / Q000453:epidemiology