OBJECTIVETo estimate the impact of diabetes on mortality in patients after first major lower extremity amputation (LEA).RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSUsing claims data of a nationwide statutory health insurance, we assessed all deaths in a cohort of all 444 patients with a first major LEA since 2005 (71.8% male; mean age 69.1 years; 58.3% diabetic; 43% with amputation above the knee) up to 2009. Using Cox regression, we estimated the time-dependent hazard ratios to compare patients with and without diabetes.RESULTSThe cumulative 5-year mortality was 68% in diabetic and 59% in nondiabetic individuals. In the first course, mortality was lower in diabetic compared with nondiabetic patients. Later, the diabetes risk increased yielding crossed survival curves after 2 to 3 years (time dependency of diabetes; P = 0.003). Age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratios for diabetes were as follows: 0–30 days: 0.50 [95% CI 0.31–0.84]; 31–60 days: 0.60 [0.25–1.41]; 61 days to 6 months: 0.75 [0.38–1.48]; >6–12 months: 1.27 [0.63–2.53]; >12–24 months: 1.65 [0.88–3.08]; >24–36 months: 2.02 [0.80–5.09]; and >36–60 months: 1.91 [0.70–5.21]. The pattern was similar in both sexes. In the full model, significant risk factors for mortality were age (1.05; 1.03–1.06), amputation above the knee (1.50; 1.16–1.94), and quartile category 3 or 4 of the number of prescribed medications (1.64; 1.12–2.40 and 1.76; 1.20–2.59). Further adjustment for comorbidity did not alter the results.CONCLUSIONSIn this population-based study, we found a time-dependent mortality risk of diabetes following first major LEA, which may be in part a result of a healthier lifestyle in diabetic patients or the access to specific treatment structures in diabetic individuals.

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to identify and analyse currently available knowledge on information needs of people with diabetes mellitus, also considering possible differences between subgroups and associated factors.MethodsTwelve databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library were searched up until June 2015. Publications that addressed self-reported information needs of people with diabetes mellitus were included. Each study was assessed by using critical appraisal tools, e.g. from the UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Extraction and content analysis were performed systematically.ResultsIn total, 1993 publications were identified and 26 were finally included. Nine main categories of information needs were identified, including ‘treatment-process’, ‘course of disease’, ‘abnormalities of glucose metabolism’ and ‘diabetes through the life cycle’. Differences between patient subgroups, such as type of diabetes or age, were sparsely analysed. Some studies analysed associations between information needs and factors such as participation preferences or information seeking. They found, for example, that information needs on social support or life tasks were associated with information seeking in Internet forums.ConclusionInformation needs in people with diabetes mellitus, appear to be high, yet poorly investigated. Research is needed regarding differences between diverse diabetes populations, including gender aspects or changes in information needs during the disease course.Systematic review registrationThe review protocol has been registered at Prospero (CRD42015029610).Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13643-018-0690-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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