Decrease in Major Amputations in Germany

A decrease in rate of amputation has been reported from many countries. This study aims to study the trends in amputation rates in Germany. On the basis of DRG-system, detailed lists of all amputations coded as minor amputations (OPS 5-864) and major amputations (OPS 5-865) performed between 2005 and 2010 were provided by the Federal Statistical Office. There was a significant decrease in age-adjusted major amputation rates per 100 000 population in Germany from 270 in 2005 to 229 in 2010 (152%, P << 0001) in males and from 197 in 2005 to 144 in 2010 (269%, P << 0001) in females. Overall, minor amputation rates did not show such a decrease but increased in males (from 474 in 2005 to 578 in 2010, 219%, P << 0001) and remained almost unchanged in females (231 in 2005 and 239 in 2010, not significant). Reduction in major amputation rates were even more pronounced in people above 80 years, especially in males from 216 to 150 (305%) and in females from 168 to 117 (304%). The present data demonstrate an increasing overall burden of foot lesions as indicated by an increase in incidence of minor amputations but an ongoing success in the fight against amputation, resulting in a significant decrease in major amputation rates in Germany, in the 6-year period from 2005 to 2010.