Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and health-related quality of life in war-related bilateral lower limb amputees

Abstract

BackgroundLower limb amputation is correlated with considerable impairments in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in veterans. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in veterans with bilateral lower limb amputation and to identify its association with HRQOL.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted on 235 Iranian male veterans with bilateral lower limb amputation. Demographics, anthropometrics, and biochemical measurements were assessed and MetS was defined by National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III definition. HRQOL was assessed using the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire which measures eight health-related domains. The scores were compared between two groups of bilateral lower limb Amputees who have diagnosed with and without MetS.ResultsThe response rate was 40.7% and the mean age of the amputees was 52.05 years. 62.1% of participants were suffering from MetS (95% CI: 55.9%–68.4%). Patients with MetS were observed to have higher weight, waist and hip circumferences, FBS, TG, LDL and liver enzymes concentrations (P < 0.05). Although scores on all 8 subscales of SF-36 were low, no significant difference was observed in HRQOL scores between amputees with and without MetS. Moreover, the risk of MetS was not significantly different across subjects in the highest compared to the lowest quartile category of HRQOL scores.ConclusionsPrevalence of MetS in veterans with bilateral lower limb amputation was higher and their HRQOL was lower compared to general population. Some strategies are needed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases among this susceptible population.

The Relationship between Military Combat and Cardiovascular Risk: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…Only one cross sectional study reported metabolic syndrome as a specific outcome. Etjahed and colleagues observed a 2-fold higher risk of metabolic syndrome (Defined according to the ATP III Criteria) [45] among 235 veterans with bilateral traumatic lower limb amputation versus controls from the general population (high ROB) [46].…”

“…Comparative lipid levels and risk of hyperlipidaemia were reported in 11 studies. Among TI veterans two studies (cross sectional) reported an increased lipid profile compared with controls (high ROB) [37,46]. ere were six (two cohort and four cross sectional) studies that all reported no difference in lipid levels or risk of hyperlipidaemia among combatants with TI versus controls of TI (3 moderate and three high ROB) [19, 24-26, 34, 39].…”

Determinants of dietary behaviour in wheelchair users with spinal cord injury or lower limb amputation: Perspectives of rehabilitation professionals and wheelchair users

“…A high BMI is also common in persons with LLA [15,16]. Studies in persons with SCI or LLA report prevalence rates of overweight, obesity and metabolic syndrome ranging from 43 to 75 percent [14,[16][17][18][19][20]. An increased BMI is a leading cause of preventable deaths due to the relation with cardiovascular diseases and several other (chronic) diseases [1,21].…”

Can whole body vibration exercises promote improvement on quality of life and on chronic pain level of metabolic syndrome patients? A pseudorandomized crossover study

“…Different studies have recently associated MSy, QoL, and CPL (13,20,45). Because MSy is frequently associated with obesity and overweight, the concomitant poor QoL and CPL can frequently hamper these patients in performing the normal daily activities (19,58).…”