Health

Shocking Disparity: Leg Amputation Rates Skyrocket in Disadvantaged Areas

2025-06-12

Author: Sarah

A Health Crisis Unveiled

Leg amputation rates due to arterial disease are staggering, showing a fourfold increase in the most disadvantaged areas of England. A recent study from the University of Sheffield has shed light on this alarming trend, revealing that patients in these socioeconomically challenged regions face a much higher risk of dying following limb amputation compared to those in more affluent zones.

Understanding Peripheral Arterial Disease

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a debilitating condition caused by fatty deposits clogging the blood vessels in the legs, severely limiting blood flow. When other treatment options fail, major limb amputation becomes a last resort, often triggered by severe infections or gangrene.

Deep Dive into Disparities

The groundbreaking study, published in BJS Open, analyzed hospital admissions and census data spanning from 2006 to 2018, examining the link between socioeconomic status and major leg amputation across England. It found a staggering total of 47,249 major lower limb amputations attributed to PAD during this timeframe.

A Closer Look at Amputation Rates

The data revealed shocking disparities: above-knee amputations were four times more common in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods, while below-knee amputations were three times as frequent. Although overall amputation rates have declined among those over 65 from 2006 to 2018, little progress has been made for individuals under 65.

Expert Insights

Professor Ravi Maheswaran, an expert in epidemiology and public health at the University of Sheffield, expressed the emotional toll of such diagnoses, stating, "Being told you need to have a leg amputated can be a devastating and frightening experience for patients."

Addressing the Inequality