Patient education level affects functionality and long term mortality after major lower extremity amputation.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between patient education level and 5-year mortality after major lower extremity amputation.

Methods: The records of all patients who underwent above-knee or below-knee amputation at the Nashville Veterans Affairs Medical Center by the vascular surgery service between January 2000 and August 2006 were retrospectively reviewed. Formal levels of education of the study patients were recorded.