Diabetes Self-Management
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October 17, 2022
A new initiative led by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) aims to prevent diabetes-related amputations, which occur over 154,000 times each year in the United States — an average of one amputation every three to four minutes, as noted in an announcement from the group.
In one recent study, among U.S. residents who were hospitalized for diabetic foot ulcers, 17.6% either underwent a major amputation (typically meaning above the ankle) or died within 30 days of being discharged from the hospital. The risk for major amputation or death was even higher for rural residents, Black study participants, and especially Black rural residents. People who undergo one amputation are also at much greater risk for a second amputation — one study showed that the reamputation rate within one year was 19%, and that within five years it was 37.1%. While taking steps to prevent amputations is important for people with diabetes, it may be even more important to prevent diabetic foot ulcers in the first place — since for people with foot ulcers, the risk of dying within a few years is even greater than the risk of needing an amputation.
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The latest initiative, known as the Amputation Prevention Alliance, will be geared largely towards communities that face a higher risk for amputation, according to the announcement. Goals will include advancing policy changes to reduce the need for amputations, increasing awareness of steps to prevent amputations among doctors, and empowering people at higher risk for amputation “to advocate for their best care.” The new effort will also aim to improve care for all people with diabetes in a way that helps to prevent amputations — such as expanding access to quality care, important technologies, and medical interventions.
Lack of access to quality care and earlier medical interventions that could help prevent amputations disproportionately affects people of color in the United States, according to the announcement — with Black Americans experiencing amputations at about four times the rate of non-Hispanic white Americans. The risk for amputation is about two to three times as high for Native Americans, and about 50% higher for Hispanic Americans, compared with non-Hispanic white Americans.
“Today, 85 percent of diabetes-related amputations are preventable,” said Jon Bloom, MD, CEO of Podimetrics and a founding partner of the Amputation Prevention Alliance, in the announcement. “Access to quality care, technology, and earlier interventions can make a substantial difference in salvaging limbs and saving lives.”
The announcement also notes that according to the results of a survey on the topic, most people with diabetes are unaware of their own risk for amputation. Even though diabetes is the leading cause of amputations, 65% of respondents with diabetes said they believed they weren’t at risk for amputation. Only about one in four indicated knowledge of signs and symptoms that can indicate an increased risk for amputation — including symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
Want to learn more about neuropathy? Read “Coping With Painful Neuropathy,” “Diabetic Neuropathy,” and “Controlling Neuropathic Pain.”
Want to learn more about PAD? Read “Diabetic Leg Pain and Peripheral Arterial Disease.”
Quinn Phillips on social media
A freelance health writer and editor based in Wisconsin, Phillips has a degree from Harvard University. He is a former Editorial Assistant for Diabetes Self-Management and has years of experience covering diabetes and related health conditions. Phillips writes on a variety of topics, but is especially interested in the intersection of health and public policy.
Disclaimer of Medical Advice: Statements and opinions expressed on this Web site are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the publishers or advertisers. The information, which comes from qualified medical writers, does not constitute medical advice or recommendation of any kind, and you should not rely on any information contained in such posts or comments to replace consultations with your qualified health care professionals to meet your individual needs.
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