Regional health care services and rates of lower extremity amputation related to diabetes and peripheral artery disease: an ecological study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The care necessary to prevent amputation from diabetes and peripheral artery disease (PAD) remains disjointed in many jurisdictions. To help inform integrated regional care, this study explores the correlation between regional health care services and rates of lower extremity amputation.

Methods

This ecological study included 14 administrative health regions in Ontario, Canada. All diabetes- or PAD-related major (above ankle) amputations (Apr. 1, 2007, to Mar. 31, 2017) were identified among residents 40 years of age and older. For each region, age-and sex-adjusted amputation rates were calculated as well as per capita counts of key health providers (podiatrists and chiropodists, as well as surgeons) and health care utilization among study patients in the year bef

SUBMITTER: de Mestral C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7595755 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Oct-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature