Determinants of lower extremity amputation or revascularization procedure in patients with peripheral artery diseases: A population-based investigation

We used the National Health Insurance Claim data in Taiwan to evaluate determinants for nontraumatic lower extremity amputation (LEA) or peripheral revascularization procedures (PRP) in patients with peripheral artery diseases (PAD). We identified 14 241 patients. Sex-specific odds ratios of age, diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), coronary artery disease (CAD), cerebral vascular accident (CVA), or using cilostazol for LEA or PRP were explored. In patients with PAD, 14.3% of male and 7.4% of female had LEA; whereas 7.1% of male and 4.6% of female had PRP. Among male patients, HTN and CAD were significant risk factors for LEA, whereas DM and using cilostazol had protective roles. Findings in female patients were similar. For PRP, elderly patients had less such procedures. The risk/protective factors were similar. In conclusion, PAD patients having DM and using cilostazol had less LEA or PRP, whereas those having HTN and CAD had more LEA or PRP. ? The Author(s) 2011.