Factors influencing quality of life after lower extremity amputation for peripheral arterial occlusive disease

Davie-Smith, Fiona (2017) Factors influencing quality of life after lower extremity amputation for peripheral arterial occlusive disease. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Recent literature suggests that 84% of lower extremity amputations (LEAs) are due to peripheral arterial occlusive disease (PAOD), and half of those will have diabetes. Only 40% will go on to rehabilitate with a prosthetic limb and the remainder will be wheelchair dependent. Until now, the majority of research has focused on the short-term clinical outcomes in this population e.g. prosthetic fitting, morbidity and mortality rates. There is a dearth of research into the long-term impact of a LEA on the individual’s quality of life (QoL), especially in those with PAOD with or without diabetes.

Aim
This thesis aims to determine which factors influence QoL after an LEA due to PAOD in the presence or absence of diabetes.

Methods
A prospective review of medical case notes and other relevant documentation was conducted on all patients who underwent a major lower extremity amputation for PAOD in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde in Scotland, between 1st March 2014 and 28th February 2015. Patients who consented to follow-up completed the EQ-5D-5L QoL measure, Reintegration into Normal Living (RNLI) and the Prosthetic Limb Users Survey of Mobility (PLUS-M), 6 and 12 months after LEA. Semi-structured interviews were conducted on 15 participants who completed follow up questionnaires to explore their views and experiences of living with a LEA and to understand which factors influence their QoL.

Results
There were 171 participants with a LEA in one year and their mean age was 66.2 years, 75% were males and 53% had diabetes. Over two thirds of the cohort lived in the two most deprived areas in Glasgow. From the follow up questionnaires (n=101) participation, measured by the RNLI had the greatest influence on QoL six and twelve months after LEA. Limb fitting positively influenced QoL, however, level of mobility was poor for all levels of LEA and there was a positive association between mobility (PLUS-M) and QoL. Mortality was seven times greater in those who were not limb fitted. Face-to-face interviews identified five broad themes that influenced QoL: the prosthesis; experience of pain; social support/isolation; sense of self/identity and interactions with others with an amputation.

Conclusion
Quality of Life was influenced by several factors, primarily participation, which was improved if limb-fitted. Those of male gender, younger age and diagnosed with diabetes were more likely to have a prosthesis fitted. While having a prosthesis did not determine QoL per se, those with greater levels of mobility were more likely to be able to participate, feel less isolated and require less social support which afforded them greater levels of QoL. Conversely, those who were wheelchair dependent or had poorer levels of prosthetic mobility reported lower levels of QoL; which was associated with dependence on social support, feelings of isolation and changes in the way they felt about themselves.

• Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: DM - Diabetes Mellitus, LEA - Lower Extremity Amputation, PAOD - Peripheral Arterial Occlusive Disease, QoL - Quality of Life, TTA - Trans-tibial amputation, SIMD - Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation
• Subjects: R Medicine > RD Surgery; R Medicine > RT Nursing
• Colleges/Schools: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing
• Funder's Name: Diabetes UK (DIABETUK)
• Supervisor's Name: Paul, Professor Lorna, Wyke, Professor Sally and Kennon, Dr. Brian
• Date of Award: 2017
• Depositing User: Dr Fiona Davie-Smith
• Unique ID: glathesis:2017-8465
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 18 Oct 2017 09:04
• Last Modified: 15 Nov 2017 14:10
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/8465