title: Demographics and discharge outcomes of dysvascular and non-vascular lower limb amputees at a subacute rehabilitation unit: a 7-year series.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine personal and social demographics, and rehabilitation discharge outcomes of dysvascular and non-vascular lower limb amputees.
  
  
  METHODS
  In total, 425 lower limb amputation inpatient rehabilitation admissions (335 individuals) from 2005 to 2011 were examined. Admission and discharge descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages) were calculated and compared by aetiology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants were male (74%), aged 65 years (s.d. 14), born in Australia (72%), had predominantly dysvascular aetiology (80%) and a median length of stay 48 days (interquartile range (IQR): 25-76). Following amputation, 56% received prostheses for mobility, 21% (n = 89) changed residence and 28% (n = 116) required community services. Dysvascular amputees were older (mean 67 years, s.d. 12 vs 54 years, s.d. 16; P < 0.001) and recorded lower functional independence measure--motor scores at admission (z = 3.61, P < 0.001) and discharge (z = 4.52, P < 0.001). More non-vascular amputees worked before amputation (43% vs 11%; P < 0.001), were prescribed a prosthesis by discharge (73% vs 52%; P < 0.001) and had a shorter length of stay (7 days, 95% confidence interval: -3 to 17), although this was not statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Differences exist in social and demographic outcomes between dysvascular and non-vascular lower limb amputees.
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapy Department, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, Qld 4102, Australia.
authors.forename: Heather R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Batten
authors.affiliation: Allied Health Research Collaborative, Metro North Hospital and Health Service, The Prince Charles Hospital, Rode Road, Chermside, Qld 4032, Australia. Email.
authors.forename: Suzanne S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Kuys
authors.affiliation: Centre for Functioning and Health Research, Buranda Village, Corner Ipswich Road and Cornwall Streets, Buranda, Qld 4102, Australia. Email.
authors.forename: Steven M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: McPhail
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ispwich Road, Woolloongabba, Qld 4102, Australia.
authors.forename: Paulose N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Varghese
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4072, Australia. Email.
authors.forename: Jennifer C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Nitz
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000674:Amputees / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001315:Australia; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010351:Patient Discharge; D012047:Rehabilitation Centers; D012189:Retrospective Studies