title: A clinical evaluation of skin disorders of lower limb amputation sites.
abstract: Amputee patients commonly experience skin problems that may result in social, mental, and economic difficulties. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of dermatological disorders and identify potential causes and symptomatic patterns among a population of lower limb amputees. Seventy lower limb amputees were enrolled. Complete examinations were performed by a dermatologist, who diagnosed and documented any skin disorders observed and recorded demographic characteristics of each patient. Mycological and bacteriological swabs were collected from the skin at the amputation site for culture analysis. In patients with suspected disease, patch tests were performed. Of the 70 patients, 58 (82.9%) were male and 12 (17.1%) female. Vascular insufficiency due to diabetes (n = 38, 54.3%) and trauma (n = 16, 22.9%) were the most common reasons for amputation. Skin problems were observed in 49 (70%) cases, and positive allergen reactions occurred in 16 (45.7%) of the 35 contact dermatitis cases. Fungal infection occurred in two patients and bacterial infection in seven. Seventy percent of the lower limb amputee patients in this cohort exhibited skin problems. This high percentage indicates that skin problems may reduce patients' quality of life. A multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of patients who have undergone amputation and early recognition and treatment of symptoms are therefore of critical importance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine, Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Emine
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Colgecen
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Korkmaz
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Kayseri Training and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors.forename: Kemal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ozyurt
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ugur
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Mermerkaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Bozok University, Yozgat, Turkey.
authors.forename: Cigdem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kader
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000672:Amputation Stumps; D001186:Artificial Limbs / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017449:Dermatitis, Allergic Contact / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D017453:Dermatitis, Irritant / Q000453:epidemiology; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D017192:Skin Diseases, Bacterial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D055815:Young Adult