Quality of Life among Amputees with Diabetes Mellitus Attending Two Tertiary Healthcare Centres in Khartoum, Sudan

Abstract

Background: Diabetes Mellitus is a leading global cause of morbidity and mortality. Diabetic Foot Ulcers, a severe complication of diabetes, often lead to Lower Extremity Amputation, significantly reducing patients’ Quality of Life (QoL). This study assessed the QoL of Sudanese diabetic amputees and diabetic non-amputees using the validated Short-Form-36 questionnaire.

Methods: A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted between April and August 2019, involving 200 amputees and 200 non-amputees from Ribat University Hospital and Jabir Abu-Ezz Diabetic Centre in Khartoum. Physical and mental health components were analysed alongside demographic and clinical characteristics to determine their impact on QoL between the two study groups.

Results: Amputees had significantly lower QoL scores than non-amputees, with physical health scores of 64.6±15.3 vs. 81.6±10.3 and mental health scores of 56.3±19.4 vs. 86.2±12.4, respectively. Males had better QoL than females, and below-knee amputees fared better than above-knee amputees. Overall

Conclusion: Diabetic amputees experience a significant decline in QoL, necessitating a multidisciplinary care approach addressing both physical and psychological needs. Specialised rehabilitation centres, including diabetes specialists, educators and dietitians, are needed to manage the physical as well as the psychological sequelae of diabetic amputations.  

Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Diabetic foot ulcers, Amputation, Quality of life, Sudan