Functional outcome after lower limb amputation: Is hyperhomocysteinemia a predictive factor?: An Observational Study

Abstract

Lower limb amputation (LLA) is the drastic stage of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) where the hyperhomocysteinemia (H-HCY) seems to be a risk factor. Surprisingly, in literature the levels and the role of homocysteinemia (HCY) in persons with LLA are understudied. This study aims to investigate the level of HCY and its correlation with the functional outcomes after LLA. A case-control study to analyze HCY levels in amputees admitted in a rehabilitation hospital during an investigation period of 1.5 years. Barthel Index was used to assess the functional outcome. We enrolled 91 dysvascular amputees and 44 amputees for other reasons than PAD (controls). The mean level of HCY was found higher in dysvascular amputees (15.2±7.5) compared to controls (11.0±5.0, P<0.0001) with a risk related ratio of 4.78. Normal Gaussian distribution of HCY was observed in controls, whereas in dysvascular amputees the data follow a double Gaussian distribution. Finally, a significant negative correlation was found between HCY and the effectiveness of rehabilitation (R=-0.37, P=0.001) only in dysvascular amputees. Dysvascular amputees had a level of HCY significantly higher than amputees without PAD. H-HCY seems to influence the functional outcomes of the rehabilitative treatment only in LLA due to PAD.