Health Care Resource Distribution of Texas Counties With High Rates of Leg Amputations

Abstract

BackgroundLower extremity amputation rates associated with peripheral arterial disease in Texas are high and vary disproportionately among different populations. We sought to assess the impact of socioeconomic status and health care resource distribution on the geographic prevalence of lower extremity amputation in Texas counties. Materials and methodsWe collated 2005-2009 data on all 254 Texas counties. The primary outcome was the number of nontraumatic lower extremity amputations. Population-adjusted regressions identified factors that could explain increasing amputation rates. ResultsWe identified 33 counties with population-weighted amputation rates in the highest 25%. These counties had higher rates of diabetes, larger populations of people categorized as black, fewer health care resources, and lower health care utilization. In the presence of more emergency room visits, dual Medicare/Medicaid eligibility decreased total amputations. In counties with more than 70% rural communities, additional primary care providers also significantly decreased amputations per 100,000 residents (mean difference = −0.12, 95% confidence interval: −0.23, −0.0008). ConclusionsPolicy-driven strategic health care resource allocation at the local level may benefit patients in high-need, low-resource areas and promote a reduction in amputations.