Elevated amputation rates in COVID‐19 survivors: Insights from a large‐scale Japanese cohort study

ABSTRACT Objective COVID‐19 has been linked to increased vascular complications, but its long‐term impact on amputation rates is unclear. This study evaluated amputation risk post‐COVID‐19 using a nationwide insurance claims database in Japan. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using...

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Main Authors: Daisuke Miyamori, Shuhei Yoshida, Masanori Ito
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-08-01
Series:Journal of Diabetes Investigation
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/jdi.70078
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author Daisuke Miyamori
Shuhei Yoshida
Masanori Ito
author_facet Daisuke Miyamori
Shuhei Yoshida
Masanori Ito
author_sort Daisuke Miyamori
collection DOAJ
description ABSTRACT Objective COVID‐19 has been linked to increased vascular complications, but its long‐term impact on amputation rates is unclear. This study evaluated amputation risk post‐COVID‐19 using a nationwide insurance claims database in Japan. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan. COVID‐19 cases were identified via insurance payment waivers, and amputations were defined by procedure codes. Propensity score matching created balanced cohorts of COVID‐19 exposed and unexposed individuals. Matched cohorts were compared for amputation incidence, calculating incidence rate ratios (IRRs), and differences (IRDs). Sensitivity analyses examined outcomes at different time points, and subgroup analyses stratified results by key characteristics. Results This study included 3,098,948 matched pairs. Over a median follow‐up of 7 months, 286 amputations occurred in the COVID‐19 group vs 123 in controls (IRR 2.33, 95% CI 1.88–2.90; IRD 5.57 per 1,000,000 person‐months, 95% CI 4.22–6.92). The elevated risk persisted beyond 2 years post infection (IRR 2.03, 95% CI 1.31–3.20). Subgroup analyses showed higher risks in individuals with higher comorbidity burden (Charlson Comorbidity Index [CCI] ≥2; IRR 2.45 95% CI 1.92, 2.79) vs lower comorbidity burden (CCI 0–1; IRR 0.71 95%CI 0.29, 1.71) with significant interaction (P = 0.04). Conclusions Amputation rates increased among COVID‐19 survivors, persisting for over 2 years post infection. The interaction between COVID‐19 and comorbidity burden highlights the need for vigilant long‐term monitoring and management of vascular complications in COVID‐19 survivors, particularly those with multiple comorbidities.
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spelling doaj-art-70450c8ea98d4124aa616adad93f39ac2025-08-20T03:16:22ZengWileyJournal of Diabetes Investigation2040-11162040-11242025-08-011681551156010.1111/jdi.70078Elevated amputation rates in COVID‐19 survivors: Insights from a large‐scale Japanese cohort studyDaisuke Miyamori0Shuhei Yoshida1Masanori Ito2Department of General Internal Medicine Hiroshima University Hospital Hiroshima JapanDepartment of General Internal Medicine Hiroshima University Hospital Hiroshima JapanDepartment of General Internal Medicine Hiroshima University Hospital Hiroshima JapanABSTRACT Objective COVID‐19 has been linked to increased vascular complications, but its long‐term impact on amputation rates is unclear. This study evaluated amputation risk post‐COVID‐19 using a nationwide insurance claims database in Japan. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study using data from the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan. COVID‐19 cases were identified via insurance payment waivers, and amputations were defined by procedure codes. Propensity score matching created balanced cohorts of COVID‐19 exposed and unexposed individuals. Matched cohorts were compared for amputation incidence, calculating incidence rate ratios (IRRs), and differences (IRDs). Sensitivity analyses examined outcomes at different time points, and subgroup analyses stratified results by key characteristics. Results This study included 3,098,948 matched pairs. Over a median follow‐up of 7 months, 286 amputations occurred in the COVID‐19 group vs 123 in controls (IRR 2.33, 95% CI 1.88–2.90; IRD 5.57 per 1,000,000 person‐months, 95% CI 4.22–6.92). The elevated risk persisted beyond 2 years post infection (IRR 2.03, 95% CI 1.31–3.20). Subgroup analyses showed higher risks in individuals with higher comorbidity burden (Charlson Comorbidity Index [CCI] ≥2; IRR 2.45 95% CI 1.92, 2.79) vs lower comorbidity burden (CCI 0–1; IRR 0.71 95%CI 0.29, 1.71) with significant interaction (P = 0.04). Conclusions Amputation rates increased among COVID‐19 survivors, persisting for over 2 years post infection. The interaction between COVID‐19 and comorbidity burden highlights the need for vigilant long‐term monitoring and management of vascular complications in COVID‐19 survivors, particularly those with multiple comorbidities.https://doi.org/10.1111/jdi.70078AmputationCOVID‐19National Insurance Claims Database
spellingShingle Daisuke Miyamori
Shuhei Yoshida
Masanori Ito
Elevated amputation rates in COVID‐19 survivors: Insights from a large‐scale Japanese cohort study
Journal of Diabetes Investigation
Amputation
COVID‐19
National Insurance Claims Database
title Elevated amputation rates in COVID‐19 survivors: Insights from a large‐scale Japanese cohort study
title_full Elevated amputation rates in COVID‐19 survivors: Insights from a large‐scale Japanese cohort study
title_fullStr Elevated amputation rates in COVID‐19 survivors: Insights from a large‐scale Japanese cohort study
title_full_unstemmed Elevated amputation rates in COVID‐19 survivors: Insights from a large‐scale Japanese cohort study
title_short Elevated amputation rates in COVID‐19 survivors: Insights from a large‐scale Japanese cohort study
title_sort elevated amputation rates in covid 19 survivors insights from a large scale japanese cohort study
topic Amputation
COVID‐19
National Insurance Claims Database
url https://doi.org/10.1111/jdi.70078
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AT shuheiyoshida elevatedamputationratesincovid19survivorsinsightsfromalargescalejapanesecohortstudy
AT masanoriito elevatedamputationratesincovid19survivorsinsightsfromalargescalejapanesecohortstudy