Association of remoteness and ethnicity with major amputation following minor amputation to treat diabetes-related foot disease.

<h4>Introduction</h4>Minor amputation is commonly needed to treat diabetes-related foot disease (DFD). Remoteness of residence is known to limit access to healthcare and has previously been associated with poor outcomes. The primary aim of this study was to examine the associations betwe...

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Main Authors: Chanika Alahakoon, Shivshankar Thanigaimani, Tejas P Singh, Aaron Drovandi, James Charles, Malindu Fernando, Peter A Lazzarini, Joseph V Moxon, Jonathan Golledge
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2024-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302186
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author Chanika Alahakoon
Shivshankar Thanigaimani
Tejas P Singh
Aaron Drovandi
James Charles
Malindu Fernando
Peter A Lazzarini
Joseph V Moxon
Jonathan Golledge
author_facet Chanika Alahakoon
Shivshankar Thanigaimani
Tejas P Singh
Aaron Drovandi
James Charles
Malindu Fernando
Peter A Lazzarini
Joseph V Moxon
Jonathan Golledge
author_sort Chanika Alahakoon
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Introduction</h4>Minor amputation is commonly needed to treat diabetes-related foot disease (DFD). Remoteness of residence is known to limit access to healthcare and has previously been associated with poor outcomes. The primary aim of this study was to examine the associations between ethnicity and remoteness of residency with the risk of major amputation and death following initial treatment of DFD by minor amputation. A secondary aim was to identify risk factors for major amputation and death following minor amputation to treat DFD.<h4>Research design and methods</h4>This was a retrospective analysis of data from patients who required a minor amputation to treat DFD between 2000 and 2019 at a regional tertiary hospital in Queensland, Australia. Baseline characteristics were collected together with remoteness of residence and ethnicity. Remoteness was classified according to the 2019 Modified Monash Model (MMM) system. Ethnicity was based on self-identification as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or non-Indigenous person. The outcomes of major amputation, repeat minor amputation and death were examined using Cox-proportional hazard analyses.<h4>Results</h4>A total of 534 participants were included, with 306 (57.3%) residing in metropolitan or regional centres, 228 (42.7%) in rural and remote communities and 144 (27.0%) were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. During a median (inter quartile range) follow-up of 4.0 (2.1-7.6) years, 103 participants (19.3%) had major amputation, 230 (43.1%) had repeat minor amputation and 250 (46.8%) died. The risks (hazard ratio [95% CI]) of major amputation and death were not significantly higher in participants residing in rural and remote areas (0.97, 0.67-1.47; and 0.98, 0.76-1.26) or in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people (HR 1.44, 95% CI 0.96, 2.16 and HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.67, 1.18). Ischemic heart disease (IHD), peripheral artery disease (PAD), osteomyelitis and foot ulceration (p<0.001 in all instances) were independent risk factors for major amputation.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Major amputation and death are common following minor amputation to treat DFD and people with IHD, PAD and osteomyelitis have an increased risk of major amputation. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and residents of remote areas were not at excess risk of major amputation.
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spelling doaj-art-576ec0b98db34800bf6c2a5a174e63372025-08-20T02:31:45ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032024-01-01197e030218610.1371/journal.pone.0302186Association of remoteness and ethnicity with major amputation following minor amputation to treat diabetes-related foot disease.Chanika AlahakoonShivshankar ThanigaimaniTejas P SinghAaron DrovandiJames CharlesMalindu FernandoPeter A LazzariniJoseph V MoxonJonathan Golledge<h4>Introduction</h4>Minor amputation is commonly needed to treat diabetes-related foot disease (DFD). Remoteness of residence is known to limit access to healthcare and has previously been associated with poor outcomes. The primary aim of this study was to examine the associations between ethnicity and remoteness of residency with the risk of major amputation and death following initial treatment of DFD by minor amputation. A secondary aim was to identify risk factors for major amputation and death following minor amputation to treat DFD.<h4>Research design and methods</h4>This was a retrospective analysis of data from patients who required a minor amputation to treat DFD between 2000 and 2019 at a regional tertiary hospital in Queensland, Australia. Baseline characteristics were collected together with remoteness of residence and ethnicity. Remoteness was classified according to the 2019 Modified Monash Model (MMM) system. Ethnicity was based on self-identification as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander or non-Indigenous person. The outcomes of major amputation, repeat minor amputation and death were examined using Cox-proportional hazard analyses.<h4>Results</h4>A total of 534 participants were included, with 306 (57.3%) residing in metropolitan or regional centres, 228 (42.7%) in rural and remote communities and 144 (27.0%) were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people. During a median (inter quartile range) follow-up of 4.0 (2.1-7.6) years, 103 participants (19.3%) had major amputation, 230 (43.1%) had repeat minor amputation and 250 (46.8%) died. The risks (hazard ratio [95% CI]) of major amputation and death were not significantly higher in participants residing in rural and remote areas (0.97, 0.67-1.47; and 0.98, 0.76-1.26) or in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people (HR 1.44, 95% CI 0.96, 2.16 and HR 0.89, 95% CI 0.67, 1.18). Ischemic heart disease (IHD), peripheral artery disease (PAD), osteomyelitis and foot ulceration (p<0.001 in all instances) were independent risk factors for major amputation.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Major amputation and death are common following minor amputation to treat DFD and people with IHD, PAD and osteomyelitis have an increased risk of major amputation. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and residents of remote areas were not at excess risk of major amputation.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302186
spellingShingle Chanika Alahakoon
Shivshankar Thanigaimani
Tejas P Singh
Aaron Drovandi
James Charles
Malindu Fernando
Peter A Lazzarini
Joseph V Moxon
Jonathan Golledge
Association of remoteness and ethnicity with major amputation following minor amputation to treat diabetes-related foot disease.
PLoS ONE
title Association of remoteness and ethnicity with major amputation following minor amputation to treat diabetes-related foot disease.
title_full Association of remoteness and ethnicity with major amputation following minor amputation to treat diabetes-related foot disease.
title_fullStr Association of remoteness and ethnicity with major amputation following minor amputation to treat diabetes-related foot disease.
title_full_unstemmed Association of remoteness and ethnicity with major amputation following minor amputation to treat diabetes-related foot disease.
title_short Association of remoteness and ethnicity with major amputation following minor amputation to treat diabetes-related foot disease.
title_sort association of remoteness and ethnicity with major amputation following minor amputation to treat diabetes related foot disease
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0302186
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