Incidence and Predictive Factors for Amputations Derived From Charcot's Neuroarthropathy in Persons With Diabetes

Abstract

Charcot's neuroarthropathy (CN) is the progressive destruction of the bones and joints of the feet, as a consequence of severe peripheral neuropathy, which predisposes patients to amputations. The purpose of this study was to measure the cumulative incidence of amputations resulting from CN and risk factors among amputated people with diabetes mellitus (DM). This was an epidemiological, observational, and retrospective study of 114 patients with DM who had an amputation involving the lower limbs. Data were collected from 2 specialized outpatient clinics between 2015 and 2019, including socio-demographic and clinical variables (cause of amputation: CN, peripheral arterial disease [PAD], infected ulcers, fracture, osteomyelitis, and others; body mass index [BMI]; 1 or 2 DM, time since DM diagnosis, insulin treatment, glycated hemoglobin; creatinine; smoking and drinking; systemic arterial hypertension, diabetic retinopathy, diabetic kidney disease, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, acute myocardial infarction, PAD, and stroke; characteristics of amputation [level and laterality], in addition to the specific variables related to CN [time of amputation in relation to the diagnosis of CN, diagnosis of CN in the acute phase, and treatment implemented in the acute phase]). We compared socio-demographic and clinical characteristics, including types of amputation, between patients with and without CN. Statistical analyses were performed using the 2 sample t-test or Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney test, for quantitative variables, and the Pearson's χ2 test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. The investigation of the possible association of predictive factors for a CN amputation was carried out through logistic regression. The amputation caused by CN was present in 27 patients with a cumulative incidence of 23.7% in 5 years. There was a statistically significant association between BMI and the occurrence of CN (odds ratio: 1.083; 95% confidence interval: 1.001–1.173; P = .048); higher values of BMI were associated with a higher occurrence of amputations secondary from CN.

Epidemiological Insights into Diabetic Foot Amputation and its Correlates: A Provincial Study

“…Osteomyelitis (57.9%) was the most common, followed by Wagner grade 4 (25.5%), grade 5 (13.5%), and Charcot arthropathy (2.9%); available evidence regarding the prevalence of these factors in developed countries states that “non-complicated” DFUs including Wagner grades 3 (37.6%), 4 (43.9%), and 5 are the most common, followed by osteomyelitis (20% in one study), and Charcot joint. 31 , 33 - 35 According to our findings, length of stay was prolonged in comparison to other studies. 36 HbA1c was also above the recommended levels in most subjects.…”

Novel Application of 18F-NaF PET/CT Imaging for Evaluation of Active Bone Remodeling in Diabetic Patients With Charcot Neuropathy: A Proof-of-Concept Report

“…Charcot neuropathic osteoarthropathy (CN) is a condition that can impair quality of life and increase risk of limb loss in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) (1,2). CN is characterized by local inflammation in the early phase of the condition, followed by degeneration of the bone architecture and ulceration of soft tissues in the foot and ankle in the later phases (3).…”

Surgical outcomes of novel technique of plantarflexory calcaneal osteotomy for Charcot Reconstruction

“…[7][8][9][10][11] The risk of developing CF in the diabetic population has been reported to be as low as 0.1% and as high as 35% in patients with neuropathy, however the true incidence is largely unknown. 5,[12][13][14][15] Ulcerations in the CF can be especially difficult to treat due to midfoot collapse, therefore increasing pressure to the plantar foot. This leads to recurrence of ulceration since the underlying biomechanical forces and pressures may remain, even after ulcerations are healed.…”