Ethnic and health correlates of diabetes-related amputations at the Texas-Mexico border

Nelda Mier, Marcia Ory, Dongling Zhan, Edna Villarreal, Maria Alen, Jane Bolin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective. To examine the association between diabetes-related lower-extremity amputation (LEA) and ethnicity, age, source of payment, geographic location, diabetes severity, and health condition in adults with diabetes mellitus type 2 living in border and non-border counties in Texas, United States of America, and to assess intra-border region geographic differences in post-LEA treatment. Methods. This correlational study was based on secondary data from the 2003 Texas Inpatient Hospital Discharge Data. The sample consisted of individuals 45 years of age and older with type 2 diabetes who had undergone a nontraumatic LEA (n = 5 865). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were applied. Results. The following characteristics were predictors of LEA: being Hispanic or African American, male, > 55 years old, and a Medicare or Medicaid user, and living in a border county. Persons with moderate diabetes and those who suffered from cardiovascular disease or stroke also had higher odds of undergoing an LEA. Post-LEA occupational therapy was significantly less prevalent among border residents (9.5%) than non-border residents (15.3%) (P < 0.001). Conclusion. Understanding the factors that influence diabetes-related LEA may lead to early detection and effective treatment of this disabling consequence of diabetes along the U.S.Mexico border.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)214-220
Number of pages7
JournalRevista Panamericana de Salud Publica/Pan American Journal of Public Health
Volume28
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2010

Keywords

  • Amputation
  • Border health
  • Diabetes mellitus
  • Mexico
  • Minority health
  • Texas
  • Type 2
  • United States.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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