Article

The aim of this study was to determine factors independently associated
with successful rehabilitation of patients with lower limb amputation in skilled
nursing facilities (SNFs). METHODS: All patients admitted to one of the 11
participating SNFs were eligible. Multidisciplinary teams collected the data. Successful rehabilitation was defined as discharge to an independent living
situation within 1 year after admission. Functional status at discharge, as
measured with the Barthel index (BI), was a secondary outcome. Multivariate
regression analyses were used to assess the independent contribution of each
determinant to the two outcome measures. RESULTS: Of 55 eligible patients, 48
were included. Mean age was 75 years. Sixty-five percent rehabilitated
successfully. Multivariate analyses showed that presence of diabetes mellitus
(DM) (OR 23.87, CI 2.26-252.47) and premorbid BI (OR 1.37, CI 1.10-1.70) were the
most important determinants of successful rehabilitation, whereas 78% of the
variance of discharge BI was explained by premorbid BI, BI on admission, and
1-leg balance. CONCLUSION: The presence of DM and high premorbid BI were
associated with discharge to an independent living situation within 1 year after
admission. Premorbid BI, admission BI, and 1-leg balance were independently
associated to discharge BI.

Langue : ANGLAIS