Citation

Ohmine S, Kimura Y, Saeki S, Hachisuka K. Prosthet. Orthot. Int. 2012; 36(2): 196-202.

Affiliation

Kyushu Rehabilitation College, 1-5-1, Kuzuhara-Takamatsu, Kitakyushu, 800-0298, Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0309364611433443

PMID

22314214

Abstract

Background: There were no recent reports of community-based surveys on the incidence, level and causes of amputation in Japan.Objectives: To identify any changes in the incidence, level, causes of amputation and gender distribution.Study Design: A community-based survey.Methods: The subjects were Kitakyushu-citizens amputated between 2001 and 2005 and selected based on medical certificates for the physically disabled person's certificate.Results: The incidence of amputation (/100,000 population per year) was 6.9 overall, 1.4 for upper limbs and 5.8 for lower limbs. The average age at amputation was 63.5 ± 20.1 years and the male:female ratio was 1.9:1. The most frequent levels of amputations were partial hand amputation (84.4%) for upper limbs, and transtibial amputation (42.3%) and transfemoral amputation (36.8%) for lower limbs. The major causes were injuries (54.3%) for upper limbs, and peripheral vascular disorder (49.0%) and diabetes mellitus with peripheral circulatory complications (28.6%) for lower limbs.Conclusions: The incidence of amputation was 6.9 overall, 1.4 for upper limbs and 5.8 for lower limbs, and the male:female ratio was 1.9:1. In comparison to a previous survey the percentages of amputation due to peripheral circulatory disorders and injuries increased and decreased, respectively, and the rate of female amputations increased.

Language: en