Incidence and predictors of amputation among diabetic foot ulcer patients in south western Ethiopia: a retrospective follow-up study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20372/mhsr.v2i2.1973Keywords:
Incidence, Predictors, Amputation, Mattu Karl Comprehensive Specialized hospitalAbstract
Background: Diabetic foot ulcer amputation is a serious medical, social, and economic concern, and a primary cause of hospitalisation, increased morbidity, and mortality. There is scarce evidence on the extent and drivers of diabetic foot amputations in southern Ethiopia. This study assessed the incidence and predictors of amputation among patients admitted to Metu Karl Comprehensive Specialized Hospital with diabetic foot ulcer from 2015 to 2024.
Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted on 455 randomly selected diabetic foot ulcer patients. Data were collected using a structured abstraction tool, entered into EpiData v4.7, and analysed in Stata v14. Survival time was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, with differences assessed by the log-rank test. The significant predictors of amputation were identified considering 95% CI of AHR and p-value <0.05.
Results: The incidence rate of diabetic foot amputation was 11.6 per 100 persons‑years (95% CI: 9.8–13.7). The 10‑year incidence proportion was 31.2% (95% CI: 26.9-35.7). The cohort was followed for a median of 40 months (interquartile range of 37-42), and a median survival time was 36 months (95% CI: 33-38). Significant predictors of amputation were diabetes complications (AHR 2.8, 95% CI: 2.0-3.8), comorbidities (AHR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.7-3.1), and diabetic foot ulcer infection (AHR 5.9, 95% CI: 4.9-7.7).
Conclusion: The incidence of lower‑limb amputation among diabetic patients was high, emphasizing the need for targeted prevention strategies and integrated care
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Accepted 2026-03-19
Published 2025-12-27
