Article

Systematic review.
Common beliefs about quality of life in people with partial foot and transtibial amputation are often described as
passing comments in the literature with seeming little research evidence. A clear
understanding of the research evidence is important to inform decisions about
amputation level from a quality of life perspective.
OBJECTIVE: To systematically
gather and appraise research evidence comparing quality of life between persons
with partial foot and transtibial amputation. METHODS:
A comprehensive suite of
databases (e.g. Cochrane Library, MEDLINE and Web of Science) were searched using
terms relating to amputation level and quality of life. Reference lists of
articles that met the inclusion criteria were hand searched. Included studies
reported quantitative data for persons with partial foot and transtibial
amputation secondary to peripheral vascular disease and diabetes. Studies were
appraised using the McMaster University Critical Review form. RESULTS: There is
insufficient evidence comparing quality of life in people with partial foot and
transtibial amputation. The available evidence suggests that quality of life may
be very similar in people with partial foot and transtibial amputation and the
small differences are not likely to be clinically meaningful. CONCLUSION: Without
adequate evidence comparing quality of life in people with partial foot and
transtibial amputation, it is difficult to inform decisions about amputation
level from a quality of life perspective. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: There is
insufficient evidence about differences in QoL between persons with PFA or TTA.
Contrary to common belief, the available evidence suggests that QoL may be
similar in persons with PFA and TTA. Further research is needed to inform
decisions about amputation level from a QoL perspective.
CI - (c) The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics 2014.

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