Determination of Quality of Life of Patients Undergoing Lower Extremity Amputation Due to Peripheral Angiopathy (Diabetic Foot)

Abstract

Amputations lead to major changes in one's life in terms of daily life and functionality. Limitations in body structures and bodily functions due to amputation affect the level of activity and social participation of the individual. In this study, the Turkish version of the Trinity Amputation and Experience Scale (TAPES) questionnaire was aimed to investigate the relationship between the quality of life and functional level of re-participation after normal amputation.Methods: A total of 48 patients who were admitted to the Orthopedics and Traumatology Clinic of our tertiary care hospital, regardless of age and sex, underwent lower extremity amputation due to diabetic foot were included in the study. Trinity Amputation and Experience Scale (TAPES) questionnaires of all patients were recorded and filled out.Results: Of the 48 patients included in the questionnaire, 36 (75.0%) were male and 12 (25.0%) were female. A total of eight (16.7%) patients were amputated above the knee level and 40 (83.3%) patients under the knee. There were 14 (29.2%) patients who used the prosthesis for more than 12 hours a day, and 34 (70.8%) patients who used the prosthesis for less. The mean age of the patients was 54.4±19.4 years (range: 11-86 years). The total satisfaction score rate was 63.1±20.5% (range: 20-92%). Conclusion:Our study is one of the rare studies in Turkey about the satisfaction of prosthesis and some other compliance criteria in amputated patients. Our study data showed that especially stump and phantom pain were significantly related to both daily utilization of the prosthesis, compliance scores, and satisfaction scores for the prosthesis, and these pains affect the psychological state of the amputees.