title: Change in health-related quality of life in the first 18 months after lower limb amputation: a prospective, longitudinal study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe changes in health-related quality of life in people with lower limb amputation, from time of amputation to 18 months, taking into consideration the influence of age and walking distance. In addition, quality of life for people with amputation is compared with the Dutch population norm values.
  
  
  METHODS
  Multicentre, longitudinal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  All people undergoing first amputation: 106 were referred, of whom 82 were included, mean age 67.8 years (standard deviation; SD 13.0), 67% men. A total of 35 remained in the study at 18 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dutch language RAND-36 questionnaire (Research and Development Corporation measure of Quality of Life) was completed at time of amputation, 6 and 18 months after amputation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over time, a significant improvement was seen in physical function, social function, pain, vitality, and perceived change in health (all p < 0.001). Subjects over 65 years of age had a poorer outcome compared with people <65 years for physical function only (p < 0.001). Walking distance was associated with improved scores in social function (p = 0.047).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Quality of life improved significantly in 5 of 7 domains investigated; most change occurred in the first 6 months. Physical function remained well below population norm values. Different domains may be affected in different ways for older and younger age groups, but this requires further research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University Medical Center Groningen, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands. l.v.fortington@umcg.nl
authors.forename: Lauren V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Fortington
authors.forename: Pieter U
authors.initials: PU
authors.lastname: Dijkstra
authors.forename: Joline C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Bosmans
authors.forename: Wendy J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Post
authors.forename: Jan H B
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Geertzen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D035002:Lower Extremity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D015233:Models, Statistical; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires