Reamputation prevalence after minor feet amputations in patients with diabetic foot, a cross sectional study.

Introduction: Reported prevalence for reamputation in diabetic foot is diverse, risk factors are not clear for minor amputations. This study aims to determine the prevalence for reamputation in diabetic foot from minor amputations and to evaluate associated factors for such outcome.

Methods: Cross sectional study developed in 2hospitals. Patients hospitalized for diabetic foot ulcer requiring a minor amputation were included. A descriptive analysis of all variables is presented, as well as prevalence ratios (PR) and a multivariate logistic regression.

Results: The prevalence was of 48% for 15 years. Toes were the most frequent minor amputation that required reamputation and above the knee amputation was the most frequent reamputation level (45%). Variables whose PR was associated to reamputation risk were: smoking history (PR 1.32, CI 95%: 1.02-1.67, P=0.03), vascular occlusion in doppler (PR 1.47, CI 95%: 1.11-1.73, P=0.01), revascularization (PR 1.73, CI 95%: 1.31-2.14, P=0.00002), Wagner> 3 (PR 1.75, CI 95%: 1.16-1.84, P=0.01) and leucocytosis> 11,000 (PR 1.39, CI 95%: 1.07-1.68, P=0.01). Leucocytosis> 11,000, Wagner> 3, vascular occlusion in doppler and revascularization were the variables that best predicted the outcome. Furthermore, leucocytosis was the best variable for predicting reamputation (OR 2.4, CI 95%: 1.1-5.6, P=0.04).

Conclusions: Reamputation prevalence was 48%. The toes were the minor amputation more frequently requiring reamputation and above the knee was the most frequent reamputation level. Risk for reamputation was associated with variables related to vascular compromise and infection.