Community-based survey of amputation derived from the physically disabled person's certification in Kitakyushu City, Japan.

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. CLINICAL RELEVANCE This study provides useful data about change of the recent epidemiology of amputation in Kitakyushu, Japan. These data are essential to perform clinical practices in amputation rehabilitation, including prescription of prosthesis, general fatigue for aged amputees, and complication of peripheral circulatory disorders.