scholarly journals Diabetes-related major and minor amputation risk increased during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominick J Casciato ◽  
Sara Yancovitz ◽  
John Thompson ◽  
Steven Anderson ◽  
Alex Bischoff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Major Amputation ◽  
Foot And Ankle ◽  
Below The Knee ◽  
Significant Case ◽  
Foot Problems ◽  
Severe Infections ◽  
Current Infection ◽  
Case Transmission

Background: Along with significant case transmission, hospitalizations, and mortality experienced during the global Sars-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic, there existed a disruption in the delivery of health care across multiple specialties. We studied the effect of the pandemic on inpatients with diabetic foot problems in a level-one trauma center in Central Ohio. Methods: A retrospective chart review of patients necessitating a consultation by the foot and ankle surgery service were reviewed from the first 8 months of 2020. A total of 270 patients met the inclusion criteria and divided into pre-pandemic (n = 120) and pandemic groups (n = 150). Demographics, medical history, severity of current infection, and medical or surgical management were collected and analyzed.Results: The odds of undergoing any level of amputation was 10.8 times higher during the pandemic versus before the pandemic. The risk of major amputations (below-the-knee or higher) likewise increased with an odds ratio of 12.5 among all patients in the foot and ankle service during the pandemic. Of the patients undergoing any amputation, the odds for receiving a major amputation was 3.1 times higher than before the pandemic. Additionally, the severity of infections increased during the pandemic and a larger proportion of the cases were classified as emergent in the pandemic group compared to the pre-pandemic group.Conclusions: The effect of the pandemic on the health-care system has had a deleterious effect on people with diabetes-related foot problems resulting in more severe infections, more emergencies, and necessitating more amputations. When an amputation was performed, the likelihood it was a major amputation also increased.Editor's Note: This Original Article accompanies "Diabetes-Related Amputations: A Pandemic within a Pandemic," by Lee C. Rogers, DPM, Robert J. Snyder, DPM, and Warren S. Joseph, DPM, FIDSA, available at https://doi.org/10.7547/20-248

scholarly journals AB0521 COST OF ILLNESS OF ANCA-ASSOCIATED VASCULITIS IN ITALY: DATA LINKAGE ANALYSIS OF MULTIPLE CLINICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE DATABASES IN THE PROVINCE OF UDINE, ITALY

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1558.1-1558
Author(s):  
L. Quartuccio ◽  
E. Treppo ◽  
S. De Vita ◽  
F. Valent
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Cost Of Illness ◽  
Systemic Vasculitis ◽  
Health Information System ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Administrative Databases ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Hospital Discharges ◽  
Severe Infections ◽  
Regional Population

Background:ANCA-associated vasculitides (AAV) are a group of systemic vasculitis carrying a high risk of hospitalization because the multiorgan involvement, the acute nature of some clinical manifestations, the chronic but very disabling course of some other manifestations and finally the risk of severe infections due to chronic glucocorticoid and immunosuppressor administration. However, data on cost of illness due to AAV are lacking.Objectives:to estimate the cost of illness in patients suffering from AAV in the province of Udine (about 500,000 inhabitants), Friuli Venezia Giulia (FVG), Italy, from year 2010 to 2018.Methods:integration of the information coming from many administrative databases were used to this end. The Regional Health Information System of FVG was used as the source of information for this retrospective cohort study. The system covers the entire regional population and includes various electronic health administrative databases that can be linked with one another on an individual basis through a unique encrypted identifier. In particular, the following databases were matched: the database of the health care beneficiaries (including demographic information and the residential history of all of the subjects living in FVG), the hospital discharge database, the database of exemptions from medical charges, the database of the laboratories. The population under study was selected based on the following inclusion criteria: patients were residents in the province of Udine and they had to carry the exemption code for AAV, including GPA, or EGPA, or MPA. This population was observed from 2010 to 2018.Results:57 patients (201 patient-years) with AAV were identified. They were ANCA-positive in 44/57 (77%). GPA, EGPA and MPA was diagnosed in 18 (31,6%), 15 (26,3%), 11 (19,3%) patients, respectively. The mean age at diagnosis was 54,5 (17,5) years. The disease itself was the main cause of hospitalization in almost half of the hospital discharges (60/126, 47,6%). Four patients died during the observation period due to vasculitis itself (1), pneumonia (2), or haematological malignancy (1). Time to the first event (death or hospitalization) was significantly higher in ANCA-negative AAV patients than in ANCA-positive AAV patients (p=0,03, Log-Rank test), ANCA-positive AAV patients having a three-times higher risk (HR 3,38 95%CI 1,13-10,08, p=0,03). Total estimated cost was € 1,215,078, corresponding to € 6,168 patient-year. Costs for ANCA-positive AAV patients were much higher than those for ANCA-negative AAV patients (€ 1,115,253 vs € 99,825, and € 7058 per person-year vs € 2,559 per person-year, respectively). GPA and MPA showed the highest costs if compared to EGPA [GPA: € 239,168 (€ 5199 per person-year) vs MPA: € 281,502 (€ 4771 per person-year) vs EGPA: € 214,287 (2329 per person-year), respectively]. Costs for hospitalization were the highest [€ 734,957 (€ 3731 per person-year) vs other costs € 480,121 (€ 2437 per person-year)].Conclusion:costs for AAV are very high, confirming the high health care burden of this illness. Management of ANCA-positive patients rather than ANCA-negative patients was burdened by the highest costs. GPA and MPA showed the highest direct costs for hospitalization, which very frequently occurred due to the vasculitis itself.Disclosure of Interests:Luca Quartuccio Consultant of: Abbvie, Bristol, Speakers bureau: Abbvie, Pfizer, Elena Treppo: None declared, Salvatore De Vita Consultant of: Roche, GSK, Speakers bureau: Roche, GSK, Novartis, Francesca Valent: None declared

Preoperative Risk Factors for Complications in Elective Ankle and Hindfoot Reconstruction

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan P. Mulligan ◽  
Kevin J. McCarthy ◽  
Benjamin J. Grear ◽  
David R. Richardson ◽  
Susan N. Ishikawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Reoperation Rate ◽  
Deep Infection ◽  
Foot And Ankle ◽  
Psychological Variables ◽  
Reconstruction Methods ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Retrospective Comparative Study ◽  
Alcohol Users

Background. The purpose of this study was to examine medical, social, and psychological factors associated with complications and reoperation after foot and ankle reconstruction. Methods. A retrospective chart review was conducted of 132 patients (135 feet; 139 operative cases) who had elective foot and ankle reconstruction. Medical, social, and psychological variables were documented. Primary outcomes included complications and reoperations. Results. The overall complication rate was 28% (39/139), and the reoperation rate was 17% (24/139). Alcohol use (P = .03) and preoperative narcotic use (P = .02) were risk factors for complications, with delayed wound healing more frequent in alcohol users (P = .03) and deep infection (P = .045) and nonunion (P = .046) more frequent preoperative narcotic use. Deep infection also was more frequent in tobacco users (P < .01). Older patients were less likely to undergo reoperation (risk of reoperation increased with age). Other variables were not associated with increased complications. Conclusion. Patients who consumed alcohol or had been prescribed any amount of narcotic within 3 months preoperatively were at increased risk for complications. Patients who smoked were more likely to have a wound infection. Surgeons should be aware of these factors and counsel patients before surgery. Levels of Evidence: Level III: Retrospective comparative study

Referral Criteria for Assessment and Treatment: In an Ambulatory Dysphagia Clinic

2012 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 189-194
Author(s):  
Klara Lorinczi ◽  
Vanessa Denheyer ◽  
Amanda Pickard ◽  
Alice Lee ◽  
Diana R. Mager
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Wait Times ◽  
Health Care Teams ◽  
Treatment Services ◽  
Referral Criteria ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Timely Access ◽  
Interdisciplinary Health Care Teams ◽  
Interdisciplinary Health Care

Dysphagia is highly prevalent in patients with chronic neurological disorders and can increase the risk for comorbidities such as aspiration pneumonia and malnutrition. Treatment includes timely access to interdisciplinary health care teams with specialized skills in dysphagia management. A retrospective chart review (n=99 of 125 charts screened) was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of referral criteria to identify and triage patients with suspected dysphagia to an ambulatory dysphagia clinic. Variables collected included demographic information (age), anthropometric information (body mass index [BMI], each patient’s sex), reason for referral, primary medical diagnosis, symptomatology (e.g., pneumonia, chest congestion), nutrition and swallowing interventions, clinic wait times, missed/cancelled appointments, and referring health care professional. The mean age and mean BMI ± standard deviation of patients reviewed were 68.7 years ± 18.4 years and 25.2 kg/m2 ± 6.7 kg/m2, respectively. Average clinic wait times were 158 days (13 to 368 days) for routine and 52 days (0 to 344 days) for urgent assessments (p<0.001). The most common reason(s) for referral was/were related to dysphagia (n=83), surgery (n=50), and/or gastrointestinal symptomatology (n=28); 80% to 90% of patients received varying diagnostic and treatment services for dysphagia. Development of effective referral criteria is critical to ensure that clients with dysphagia receive timely diagnostic, treatment, and nutrition interventions by interdisciplinary health care teams specializing in dysphagia.

Lower Extremity Amputation for Ischemia

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
William C. Pevec
Keyword(s):  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Chronically Ill ◽  
Major Amputation ◽  
Postoperative Management ◽  
Functional Mobility ◽  
Knee Amputation ◽  
Below The Knee ◽  
Psychological Harm ◽  
Independent Ambulation ◽  
Chronic Arterial Occlusive Disease

Major amputations (proximal to the ankle) of the lower extremity are the manifestations of end-stage, nonreconstructable chronic arterial occlusive disease. A well-performed amputation provides the patient with the best prognosis for return to functional mobility. However, an amputation that fails to heal primarily may cause substantial physical and psychological harm to an already chronically ill patient. Minor amputations (at the toe or forefoot level) are not technically complex, but poor patient selection or technical imperfection can result in major amputation and loss of independent ambulation. In this chapter, selection of the level of amputation is reviewed; the methods to perform digital, forefoot, transtibial, and transfemoral amputations are presented; and postoperative management and potential complications are discussed.   Key Words: above-the-knee amputation, below-the-knee amputation, Guillotine amputation, ray amputation, transmetatarsal amputation, transphalangeal amputation This review contains 10 figures, 1 table and 22 references

scholarly journals Reduction in Diabetes-Related Major Amputation Rates After Implementation of a Multidisciplinary Model: An Evaluation in Alberta, Canada

2019 ◽  
pp. 0000-0000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Basiri ◽  
Brent D. Haverstock ◽  
Paul F. Petrasek ◽  
Karim Manji
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care System ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Major Amputation ◽  
Incidence Rates ◽  
Positive Sign ◽  
Supporting Evidence ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Care System

BACKGROUND: Lower limb amputations (LLAs) are a major debilitating complication of diabetes. The toe and flow model (TFM) describes the framework for multidisciplinary centers aiming to reduce this complication. In this study, we investigate the efficacy of the TFM to reduce diabetes-related major LLAs in comparison with the standard of care (SOC) in the Canadian health care system. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the anonymized diabetes-related LLA reports in two similar metropolitan health zones in Alberta, Canada from 2007 to 2017. Although both zones have the same provincial health care system and similar demographics, Calgary, our first zone operates on the basis of the TFM while the Edmonton zone operates in accordance with the provincial SOC. LLAs were divided into minor and major amputation cohorts. We used the chi-square test, linear regression, and Pearson correlation for analysis. The lower proportion of major LLAs was denoted as a positive sign for the efficacy of the TFM. RESULTS: Although the number of LLAs remained relatively comparable (Calgary zone: 2238 and Edmonton zone: 2410), the Calgary zone had both significantly lower major (45%) and higher minor (42%) amputation incidence rates compared to the Edmonton zone. The increasing trend in minor LLAs and decreasing trend in major LLAs in the Calgary zone were negatively and significantly correlated (r = -0.730, p = 0.011). No significant correlation was found in the Edmonton zone. CONCLUSIONS: A significant reduction in the incidence rate, decreasing trend of diabetes-related major LLAs and the significant negative correlation of minor and major LLAs rates in the Calgary zone (TFM) compared to its sister zone Edmonton (SOC), provides supporting evidence for the impact of the TFM. This investigation provides support for a modernization of the diabetes-related limb preservation practice in Canada through the implementation of TFMs across the country to combat major LLAs.

scholarly journals Subsequent Injury is Common after Foot and Ankle Surgery in Patients Receiving Workers’ Compensation

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011418S0017
Author(s):  
Gabrielle Bui ◽  
Phinit Phisitkul ◽  
Natalie Glass ◽  
Chris Cychosz ◽  
Sean Boarini
Keyword(s):  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
Anatomical Location ◽  
Workers Compensation ◽  
Foot And Ankle ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Legal Representation ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Ankle Surgery ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
Subsequent Injury

Category: Ankle Introduction/Purpose: Workers’ compensation (WC) has been associated with poor outcomes following a variety of injuries and surgeries. Previous studies have investigated surgical outcomes via satisfaction surveys, but rates of subsequent injury following surgery have not been specifically studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the rates, locations and risk factors for subsequent injuries in WC patients and non-WC patients who underwent the same surgeries. Methods: With IRB approval, we identified the records of patients with a foot or ankle surgery performed by a single surgeon from 2009-2015. We included only surgeries with one of the most common current procedural terminology (CPT) codes from the WC population. A retrospective chart review was performed on all WC and non-WC patients with at least one of these CPT codes. A subsequent injury was defined as a new injury at a different anatomical location that occurred from 2 months to 2 years after the index surgery. Chi-square and two-tailed t-tests were used to compare WC and non-WC patient populations, and to determine factors associated with subsequent injuries. Results: Overall, the WC population had higher rates of subsequent injury than the non-WC population 23.21% versus 7.27%, p=.0011. Within the WC patient population, patients with subsequent injuries were older than patients without subsequent injuries 48.78±7.30 versus 41.58±12.40, p=.0137. In a blinded review of the charts and Iowa Courts Online, legal representation was found to be more common in WC patients with subsequent injuries than WC patients without subsequent injuries (76.92% versus 37.21%, p=.0240). In the non-WC population, there were more males in the group without subsequent injuries than in the group with subsequent injuries 42.48% versus 8.33%, p=.0287. There were no significant differences in locations of subsequent injury. Hip, knee and contralateral foot and ankle were common areas of subsequent injury in both groups. Conclusion: Overall, WC patients had higher rates of subsequent injury than non-WC patients. Within the WC group, legal representation further raised the risk of subsequent injury. Gender may mediate variable reporting of subsequent injuries in non-WC populations. While the reason for this increased risk of subsequent injury is not known, the differences are enough that they should be considered when counseling WC patients considering these surgeries. Additionally, if further study supported these findings, knowledge of the areas at risk for subsequent injury might lead to preventative strategies that could decrease the risk of subsequent injury.

scholarly journals Below-knee endovascular interventions have better outcomes compared to open bypass for patients with critical limb ischemia

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin W Hicks ◽  
Alireza Najafian ◽  
Alik Farber ◽  
Matthew T Menard ◽  
Mahmoud B Malas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Limb Ischemia ◽  
Multivariable Analysis ◽  
Limb Ischemia ◽  
Major Amputation ◽  
Primary Patency ◽  
Tissue Loss ◽  
Vascular Intervention ◽  
Below The Knee ◽  
Endovascular Interventions ◽  
One Year

Both open surgery and endovascular peripheral interventions have been shown to effectively improve outcomes in patients with peripheral artery disease, but minimal data exist comparing outcomes performed at and below the knee. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes following infrageniculate lower extremity open bypass (LEB) versus peripheral vascular intervention (PVI) in patients with critical limb ischemia. Using data from the 2008–2014 Vascular Quality Initiative, 1-year primary patency, major amputation, and mortality were compared among all patients undergoing LEB versus PVI at or below the knee for rest pain or tissue loss. Overall, 2566 patients were included (LEB=500, PVI=2066). One-year primary patency was significantly worse following LEB (73% vs 81%; p<0.001). One-year major amputation (14% vs 12%; p=0.18) and mortality (4% vs 6%; p=0.15) were similar regardless of revascularization approach. Multivariable analysis adjusting for baseline differences between groups confirmed inferior primary patency following LEB versus PVI (HR 0.74; 95% CI, 0.60–0.90; p=0.004), but no significant differences in 1-year major amputation (HR 1.06; 95% CI, 0.80–1.40; p=0.67) or mortality (HR 0.71; 95% CI, 0.44–1.14; p=0.16). Based on these data, we conclude that endovascular revascularization is a viable treatment approach for critical limb ischemia resulting from infrageniculate arterial occlusive disease.

Comparison of 2g vs 1 g of Prophylactic Cefazolin in Surgical Site Infections in Trauma Surgery Below the Knee

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 582-589
Author(s):  
Fay R. K. Sanders ◽  
Rosanne M.G. Kistemaker ◽  
Mirjam van ’t Hul ◽  
Tim Schepers
Keyword(s):  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Clinical Effect ◽  
Trauma Surgery ◽  
Surgical Site Infections ◽  
Clinical Results ◽  
Pharmacokinetic Studies ◽  
Foot And Ankle ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Below The Knee ◽  
Ankle Surgery

Background: The rate of surgical site infections (SSIs) after foot or ankle surgery remains high, despite the implementation of antibiotic prophylaxis. Recently, guidelines suggest a single dose of 2 g instead of 1 g of cefazolin for implant surgery; this decision is largely based on pharmacokinetic studies. However, the clinical effect of this higher dose has never been investigated in foot and ankle surgery. This retrospective cohort study investigated the effect of 2 g compared with 1 g of prophylactic cefazolin on the incidence of SSIs in foot and ankle surgery. Methods: All patients undergoing trauma-related surgery of the foot, ankle, or lower leg between September 2015 and March 2019 were included. The primary outcome was the incidence of an SSI. SSIs were compared between patients receiving 1 g and 2 g of cefazolin as surgical prophylaxis, using a propensity score to correct for possible confounders. Results: A total of 293 patients received 1 g and 126 patients received 2 g of cefazolin. The overall number of SSIs was 19 (6.5%) in the 1-g group and 6 (4.8%) in the 2-g group. Corrected for possible confounders, this was not statistically significant (OR, 0.770; P = .608). Conclusion: Even though the decrease in SSI rate from 6.5% to 4.8% was found not to be statistically significant, it might be clinically relevant considering the reduction in morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Research linking pharmacokinetic and clinical results of prophylactic cefazolin is needed to establish whether or not the current recommendations and guidelines are sufficient for preventing SSIs in foot and ankle surgery. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative series.

Factors Influencing Patient Selection of a Foot and Ankle Surgeon

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 315-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
Blaine T. Manning ◽  
Daniel D. Bohl ◽  
Kevin C. Wang ◽  
Kamran S. Hamid ◽  
George B. Holmes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Insurance Market ◽  
Foot And Ankle ◽  
Waiting Room ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Anonymous Questionnaire ◽  
Health Insurance Market ◽  
Appointment Availability ◽  
Selection Of

An increasingly consumer-centric health insurance market has empowered patients to select the providers of their choice. There is a lack of studies investigating the rationale by which patients select a foot and ankle surgeon. In the present study, 824 consecutive new patients seeking treatment from 3 foot-ankle surgeons were consecutively administered an anonymous questionnaire prior to their first appointment. It included rating the importance of 15 factors regarding specialist selection on a 1 to 10 scale, with 10 designated “ Very important” and 1 designated “ Not important at all.” The remaining questions were multiple choice regarding patient perspectives on other surgeon aspects (appointment availability, waiting room times, clinic proximity, etc). Of 824 consecutive patients administered the survey, 305 (37%) responded. Patients rated board certification (9.24 ± 1.87) and on-site imaging availability (8.48 ± 2.37)—on a 1 to 10 scale, with 10 designated “Very important— as the 2 most important criteria in choosing a foot and ankle surgeon. Patients rated advertisements as least important. Among the patients, 91% responded that a maximum of 30 minutes should elapse between clinic check-in and seeing their physician; 61% responded that a maximum of 20 minutes should elapse between clinic check-in and seeing their physician. In the context of an increasingly consumer-driven paradigm of health care delivery and reimbursement, it is important to understand patients’ preferences in specialist selection. Levels of Evidence: Level III: Prospective questionnaire

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