Exploring the Effect of Preamputation Employment and Income on Ambulation in Dysvascular Lower Extremity Amputees After Amputee Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the relationship between 2-minute walk test (2MWT) distance, employment status, and median household income in adult dysvascular amputee patients after a 6-week rehabilitation program.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Amputation rehabilitation program.

PARTICIPANTS

In total, 505 patients were included in the analysis. Most (71.1%) were men and had below-knee amputations (78.3%); the average age was 65.3±11.6 years.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

2MWT distance at discharge.

RESULTS

Men 68.3±32.6m) and below-knee amputation amputees (70.9±32.0m) walked significantly further than women 58.8±30.0m; =.003) and above-knee amputees 47.2±25.7m; <.001), respectively. A significant negative correlation was found between 2MWT distance and age (=-.32; <.001) as well as time from consultation to admission (=-.23; <.001). An unadjusted general linear model (GLM) revealed that employment status (F=17.47; <.001) but not income (F=.714; =.58) was statistically significantly associated with 2MWT distance. An adjusted (age, sex, time from consult to admission, and amputation level) GLM revealed employment status remained significant (F=5.59; =.004) and income remained insignificant (F=.43; =.784). Differences in 2MWT distance between employment and income groups did not meet clinical significance.

CONCLUSIONS

Preamputation employment appears to be associated with postrehabilitation outcomes.