Epidemiology of lower limb amputees in Southern Finland in 1995 and trends since 1984.

The purpose of this study was to look at the current epidemiological trends of lower limb amputees in 1995 and the trends since 1984 in the area of Southern Finland with 1.3 million inhabitants. During the one-year period, the lower limb amputation was performed on 366 patients. The overall amputation rate has been unchanged since 1984 being 28.0 per 100,000 inhabitants in 1995. The mean age was 71.4 years. The overall amputation rate was 28.0 per 100,000 inhabitants. Of the 366 patients in the study 30% had arteriosclerosis without diabetes mellitus and 49% had diabetes. Diabetes mellitus has become the most common cause of amputation since 1985. Tumours were the cause in 2% and trauma in 4%. The most common unilateral amputations were trans-femoral amputations (29%) followed by trans-tibial amputations (28%) and toe amputations (24%). The unilateral trans-tibial/trans-femoral ratio was 0.54 in 1984 and 0.95 in 1995. The one-year mortality rate was 39% in 1984 and 40% in 1995. The rate of amputation has been relatively constant over the last ten years. The age related incidence in the older age groups has also been unchanged over the last ten years. Better control of diabetes and prophylactic foot care of diabetics can have a positive contribution in prevention of lower limb amputations. The current rehabilitation and prosthetic services of the lower limb amputees can be planned in the south of Finland on the basis of the incidence of 28 per 100,000 inhabitants.