BACKGROUND: Data from Northern Queensland have shown high rate of diabetes and end stage renal failure (ESRF) 1; both conditions are known to lead to limb amputation2. In spite of these no study has been published that analyses the magnitude and risk factors for amputation in the sub-population.\ud
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OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study was to document prevalence and identify risk factors of non-traumatic lower limb amputations in subjects treated with renal dialysis for chronic renal failure in North Queensland.\ud
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METHODS: All subjects diagnosed to have ESRF who attended the Townsville Regional Hospital Dialysis Centre from 01/01/2008 till date, were retrospectively studied. Odds ratio and χ2 tests were performed to identify variables most strongly associated with amputation.\ud
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RESULTS: We identified 8.8% prevalence of lower limb amputation in 114 subjects with ESRF on dialysis at our centre. The major risk factors of amputations in the cohort were indigenous background (Odds Ratio 0.2 [95% CI 0.03-1.2] P=0.007) and the presence of diabetes (Odds Ratio 1.9 [95% CI 1.62-2.3] P=0.003). Other variables were tested but fell short of statistical significance, these include: smoking history, gender and type of renal dialysis.\ud
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CONCLUSION: Indigenous Australians with diabetes mellitus on renal dialysis are at risk of having lower limb amputations. Primary prevention of diabetes in the sub-population may help in reducing the limb loss. Further prospective studies on a larger population are needed to confirm our findings
