A survey of lower limb amputation rate in patients with diabetes at Shahid Modarres Hospital, Tehran, Iran, during 5 years

Introduction: Lower limb amputation in patients with diabetes is one of its major complications. Therefor understanding the prevalence and causes of this problem has great importance. The aim of this study was to evaluate lower limb amputation in patients with diabetes. Methods: During this observational cross-sectional study, 350 patients with diabetes mellitus admitted to Shahid Modarres Hospital, Tehran, Iran, from March 2012 to March 2017 were studied and incidence of lower limb amputation was observed. Results: About 64% of patients suffered from some degree of amputation. Important factors in these patients were delay in referral to surgeon, ineffective debridement and longtime impaired distal blood flow. Conclusion: The frequency of lower limb amputation in patients with diabetes is high and therefore there is a great need to find and reduce its underlying problems.