“I was trying to look after myself, but I really wasn’t”: Understanding patient’s perspectives on risk factors for lower extremity amputations

Journal of Foot and Ankle Research

Research

Saravana Kumar¹  Kristin Graham¹  Marcelle Ben chmo¹  Lisa Matricciani¹ 

[1] University of South Australia Allied Health and Human Performance, University of South Australia, 5000, Adelaide, SA, Australia;Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, 5000, Adelaide, SA, Australia;

关键词: Lower extremity amputation;    Type 2 diabetes mellitus;    Risk factors;    Perspectives;    Qualitative;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13047-022-00589-6

 received in 2022-05-04, accepted in 2022-11-14,  发布年份 2022

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundLower extremity amputations (LEAs) as a result of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) cause considerable morbidity, mortality, and burden on the healthcare system. LEAs are thought to be preventable, yet the rate of LEAs, particularly in Australia, has risen despite the availability of preventative healthcare services. Understanding patient’s perspectives of risk factors for LEAs may provide valuable insight into why many LEAs occur each year.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to explore patient’s perspectives of risk factors for LEAs as a result of T2DM.MethodsA qualitative descriptive methodology involving non-probability purposive sampling was used to recruit inpatients at a tertiary metropolitan hospital in South Australia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data were transcribed verbatim. Data from the interviews were analysed using thematic analysis and the constant comparison approach.ResultsA total of 15 participants shared their perspectives of risk factors for lower extremity amputations. Most (86%) of participants were male and Caucasian, with a median age of 66.4 years ranging from 44-80 years. The median duration of diabetes was 25.2 years, ranging from 12-40 years. More than half of the participants had undergone a previous amputation with 86% being unemployed or retired and 73% living in metropolitan Adelaide. Two main themes emerged: competing priorities and awareness. Finance and family care were identified as subthemes within competing priorities. While subthemes in the context of awareness related to lack of awareness of risk, experiences with health care professionals and perspectives of disease severity.ConclusionsThe findings from this research indicate that addressing risk factors for LEAs for patients with T2DM require a holistic and nuanced approach which considers individual patient’s circumstances, and its influence on how risks are viewed and managed.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Crown 2022