Date of Award
Spring 2021
Degree Name
Other
Masters of Medical Science
Department
Physician Assistant; College of Health Sciences
First Advisor
Kevin Basile
Abstract
Introduction: Diabetes is a disease that affects a multitude of people across the world, and with a large variety of complications that results from uncontrolled glucose levels. Some of these complications can cause secondary and tertiary comorbidities, including amputations. Some patients with diabetes will have only one amputation in their lifetime, but will have to undergo additional amputations on the same limb. This is done to try and contain the spread of the peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease that can result from uncontrolled diabetes.
Methods: A literature search was completed through Google Scholar and PubMed in 2019. Seven articles were selected based on their relevance to the research question, study design, outcome measurements, and results to be analyzed, with additional articles used as background information. A criteria of free text articles was added in order to be able to fully assess the articles and be able to accurately compare the studies, and assess any and all shortcomings with them.
Results: Studies from different regions of the world were found and analyzed, and while the exact percentage of patients with diabetes vs patients without diabetes mortality rates and re-amputation rates differed, every study found that patients with diabetes suffered from high rates of mortality and re-amputations.
Discussion: Articles directly discussing whether an exercise regimen would help to decrease amputation rates were unable to be found. The articles found that ambulation in amputees was decreased, and patients were unhappy with their levels of physical activity. It was also found that patients with diabetes and patients without diabetes had differing levels of amputations and mortality. However, through research, it was found that the rates of amputation and mortality decreased one-year post amputation, with many of the researchers suggesting a majority of re-amputations are due to surgical complications, as opposed to progression of the disease.
Conclusion: Direct evidence that an exercise regimen would decrease mortality and re-amputations rates in patients with diabetes was ultimately unable to be found, but there was indirect evidence that a potential benefit may exist for a small number of patients.
Recommended Citation
Coleman, Mike, "Effects of an Exercise Regimen on Amputation Rates in Adults with Uncontrolled Diabetes" (2021). Capstone Showcase. 38.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2021/pa/38
Effects of an Exercise Regimen on Amputation Rates in Adults with Uncontrolled Diabetes
Introduction: Diabetes is a disease that affects a multitude of people across the world, and with a large variety of complications that results from uncontrolled glucose levels. Some of these complications can cause secondary and tertiary comorbidities, including amputations. Some patients with diabetes will have only one amputation in their lifetime, but will have to undergo additional amputations on the same limb. This is done to try and contain the spread of the peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease that can result from uncontrolled diabetes.
Methods: A literature search was completed through Google Scholar and PubMed in 2019. Seven articles were selected based on their relevance to the research question, study design, outcome measurements, and results to be analyzed, with additional articles used as background information. A criteria of free text articles was added in order to be able to fully assess the articles and be able to accurately compare the studies, and assess any and all shortcomings with them.
Results: Studies from different regions of the world were found and analyzed, and while the exact percentage of patients with diabetes vs patients without diabetes mortality rates and re-amputation rates differed, every study found that patients with diabetes suffered from high rates of mortality and re-amputations.
Discussion: Articles directly discussing whether an exercise regimen would help to decrease amputation rates were unable to be found. The articles found that ambulation in amputees was decreased, and patients were unhappy with their levels of physical activity. It was also found that patients with diabetes and patients without diabetes had differing levels of amputations and mortality. However, through research, it was found that the rates of amputation and mortality decreased one-year post amputation, with many of the researchers suggesting a majority of re-amputations are due to surgical complications, as opposed to progression of the disease.
Conclusion: Direct evidence that an exercise regimen would decrease mortality and re-amputations rates in patients with diabetes was ultimately unable to be found, but there was indirect evidence that a potential benefit may exist for a small number of patients.