Nationwide diabetes-related lower extremity amputation rates in secondary care treated patients with diabetes in the Netherlands (DUDE-7).

Aims: To estimate the annual amputation rate in all secondary care treated patients with diabetes in the Netherlands and specifically in patients known with diabetic retinopathy.

Methods: A nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study was performed including the years 2007-2011. Data of patients were retrieved from reimbursement registries for hospital care from a nationwide insurance database including codes for diabetes, retinopathy and amputation.