Lower Limb Amputations and Revascularisation Procedures in the Hungarian Population: A 14 Year Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the long term trends of lower limb amputation and revascularisation in Hungary over 14 years.

Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study that included all patients who underwent lower limb amputation or revascularisation over a 14 year period (2004-2017) in Hungary. Inpatient administrative data claims covering the entire beneficiary population were incorporated. Lower limb amputations (both minor and major) and revascularisation procedures (both open and endovascular) were identified in the claims files. Incidence rates were calculated and time trends were assessed via a generalised additive model.

Results: From 2004 to 2017, a total of 121 351 lower limb amputations (61 154 minor; 60 197 major) and 149 355 revascularisation procedures (89 243 open; 60 112 endovascular) were detected in 140 581 patients. The number of minor amputations decreased moderately in the last few years of the study period, while major amputations showed a slight decline (15%) beginning after 2013, which was more marked (22%) following adjustment for age. While the crude incidence of open vascular surgery procedures decreased by 31% (from 74.5/10⁵ to 51.4/10⁵), endovascular procedures showed growth by 79% (from 33.7/10⁵ to 60.4/10⁵) over the whole observation period.

Conclusion: Observed amputation and revascularisation trends in Hungary are similar to the international experience. The major difference is a more than one decade lag in the starting point of the decline of amputations and in the move towards endovascular procedures. The number of amputations is more than twofold higher and the number of revascularisations is close to half that reported internationally. This comprehensive report of two vascular care performance indicators reveals an east/west vascular health divide in Europe and indicates the need to improve amputation prevention.

Keywords: Lower extremity amputation; Lower extremity revascularisation; Peripheral arterial disease; Quality of vascular care.