Joe Feinglass|Cheryl Rucker?Whitaker|Lee A. Lindquist|Walter J. McCarthy|William H. Pearce
Racial differences in primary and repeat lower extremity amputation: Results from a multihospital study
Rush University|Rush University
african americans much higher risk major belowknee lower extremity amputation lower rate limbpreserving vascular surgery angioplasty white patients article analyzes two potential pathways racial disparities primary amputation defined major amputation performed without prior attempt revascularization repeat amputation defined major amputation subsequent previous throughfoot major amputationrandomly selected medical records reviewed 248 african american 30 hispanic 235 white otherrace patients undergoing belowknee amputation 1995 2003 three chicago teaching hospitals chronic disease prevalence severity preadmission functional status clinical presentation vascular history used test riskadjusted effect race ethnicity rates primary repeat amputationcontrolling demographic functional chronic disease clinical characteristics african american patients 17 times likely undergone primary p 01 repeat p 03 amputation white otherrace amputees race remained significant independent risk factor even controlling higher severity illness greater disability complex presentation african american amputeeshigher rates primary repeat amputation african american patients study hospitals significant vascular surgery capacity aggressive policy limb salvage suggest rates may even higher less well equipped institutions improving access primary preventive care lowerincome patients could reduce amputation rates among african americans