IngentaConnect Quality of life after amputation

Authors: de Godoy J.M.P.; Braile D.M.; Buzatto S.H.G.; Longo O.; Fontes O.A.

Source: Psychology, Health and Medicine, Volume 7, Number 4, 1 November 2002 , pp. 397-400(4)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

Abstract:

Amputations of lower limbs are mutilating surgeries which interfere with the daily lives of the patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the quality of life of these patients. Thirty consecutive patients who had previously undergone amputation of a lower limb and went to the ambulatory for follow-up were included in this study. Twenty-one of the study group were male and the remaining nine were female, with ages ranging from 26 to 77 years (mean age = 54 years). The causes of the amputations were arterial insufficiency (28 patients) and trauma (two patients). After clinical evaluation and consent was acquired, they were assessed by psychologists and submitted to the quality of life test, SF-36. For statistical analysis, the Mann-Whitney test, (p < 0.05, confidence interval 95%) was used. The statistical analysis showed that the quality of life was unsatisfactory for the members of this group compared to the control group in six out of the eight topics investigated. The physical capacity (p < 0.0001), physical aspects (p < 0.0001), emotional aspects (p < 0.0009) and social aspects (p < 0.0001) were all considered extremely significant, the pain (p < 0.0052) was considered very significant and the general state of heath (p < 0.0260) considered significant. The satisfactory aspects were mental health (p < 0.7449) and vitality (p < 0.7617). The quality of life is prejudiced in patients who suffered amputations of lower limbs.

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