Burden of lower limb amputations due to diabetes in Australia: Australian Burden of Disease Study 2011

The Australian Burden of Disease Study (ABDS) 2011 captured four complications of diabetes—diabetic neuropathy, diabetic foot ulcer, lower limb amputation, and vision impairment—and their prevalence and burden were estimated. This bulletin presents findings from the ABDS on the burden of diabetes-related lower limb amputations in Australia. In 2011, it was estimated that about 730,000 Australians had diagnosed diabetes, 1.7% (12,300) of whom experienced lower limb amputation. The health loss experienced as a direct result of diabetes-related lower limb amputation accounted for about 1% of total non fatal burden estimated for diabetes in 2011. This represented 456 years of healthy life lost due to living with disability in Australia.