title: Factors Associated with Prosthetic Looseness in Lower Limb Amputees.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the factors associated with prosthetic looseness in lower limb amputees in Sisaket province.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present was a cross-sectional descriptive study. Subjects were lower limb amputees who previously obtained prostheses and required prosthetic replacements at the mobile prosthetic laboratory unit under the Prostheses Foundation of H.R.H. the Princess Mother at Khun Han Hospital, Sisaket province, in February 2013. Data including participant characteristics, prosthetic looseness data, and various variables were collected by direct semi-structured interview. Energy expenditures in physical activities were measured using the Thai version of the short format international physical activity questionnaire. Data between participants with and without prosthetic looseness were compared to determine prosthetic loosening associated factors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 101 participants enrolled, 33 (32.7%) had prosthetic looseness with average onset of 1.76 ± 1.67 years. Diabetes mellitus was the only significant factor associated with prosthetic looseness from both univariate and multivariate analyses (HR = 7.05, p = 0.002 and HR = 5.93, p = 0.007 respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among the lower limb amputees in Sisaket province, diabetes mellitus was the only factor associated with prosthetic looseness. Therefore, diabetic screening should be supplemented in lower limb amputee assessment protocol. In addition, we recommend that amputees with diabetes mellitus should receive prosthesis check out at approximately
authors.forename: Thong
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Phonghanyudh
authors.forename: Taweesak
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sutpasanon
authors.forename: Chanasak
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hathaiareerug
authors.forename: M L Buddhibongsa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Devakula
authors.forename: Wipoo
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kumnerddee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000674:Amputees / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001186:Artificial Limbs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011475:Prosthesis Failure / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology