IMPACT OF LOWER LIMB AMPUTATION ON FUNCTIONAL STATUS AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN DIABETIC PATIENTS USING PROSTHESIS AN ANAYTICAL CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major contributor to lower limb amputation throughout the world. Amputation, particularly in diabetics, has far reaching consequences in terms of daily activity levels and the general quality of life. This research paper explores the impact of lower limb amputations on the state of functioning and quality of life of diabetic patients who have adopted the use of prosthetics.

Material & Methods: An analytical cross-sectional survey was carried out in a period of 6 months at the Pakistan Institute of Prosthetic and Orthotic Sciences, Peshawar. It recruited 74 patients who were diabetic and were subjected to major lower limb amputations and had used prosthesis. Functional status was evaluated by locomotor capabilities index-5 (LCI-5) and quality of life was measured through WHOQOL-BREF tool. Independent t-test and Mann Whitney U test were used to test gender-based differences. 

Results: Mean age of the participants was 46.81 + 15.78 (mean + SD) years. Among the 74 participants male participants were n=57 (77%), and female were n= 17 (23%). Mean + SD score for LCI was 34.54 + 15.28, 18.73 + 6.8, 15.81 + 8.9 for total, basic and advanced ADLs locomotion. The mean + SD for WHOQOL-BREF were 55.69 + 8.48 (physical), 56.42 + 8.34, 49.74 + 12.61, 52.97 + 8.01 for physical, psychological, social and, environmental domains respectively. For male vs female comparison (n=17 each), no statistical difference was found in functional status (p>0.05) parameters and the quality-of-life domains (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Diabetic amputation of the lower limb compromises functional independence as well as the quality of life in various domains. These results were the same between both men and women indicating an objective to make rehabilitation gender-neutral, layered in physical functional rehabilitation and psychosocial support.