Lower extremity amputations in Switzerland: Trends in patients with and without diabetes, 2013-2023.

Authors

Alexander Schuster, Simon Wolf, Julia Neuenschwander, Madlaina Schöni, Felix W A Waibel, Christina Sydler, Lea Attias Widmer, Faranak Rostami, Marc Righini, Nils Kucher, Stefano Barco, Davide Voci

Published in

International journal of cardiology. Cardiovascular risk and prevention. Volume 30. Pages 200696. Epub Aug 12, 2026.

Abstract

Lower extremity amputation (LEA) is a critical public health issue predominantly caused by diabetes mellitus (DM) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Switzerland faces a growing diabetes burden amid suboptimal glycemic control. The aim was to analyze LEA trends in Switzerland (2013-2023), comparing diabetic and non-diabetic populations to inform targeted prevention and management strategies.
A retrospective, nationwide analysis of Swiss hospital discharge data from 2013 to 2023 was conducted. LEA cases were identified via Swiss surgical procedure codes and stratified by diabetes status using ICD-10-GM diagnosis codes. Age-standardized incidence rates and amputation proportions were computed, with Poisson regression models to evaluate risk factors. Outcomes including in-hospital mortality and re-amputation rates were assessed.From 2013 to 2023, 30,047 lower extremity amputations were performed in Switzerland, with 60% occurring in patients with diabetes and 85% being minor amputations. Crude annual numbers increased, but age-standardized rates remained stable. Patients with diabetes had a 56% higher adjusted risk than those without. Amputation proportions in diabetes-related hospitalizations decreased over time, driven by a reduction in minor amputations, while major amputations remained stable. In-hospital mortality was 4.3%, lowest in type 1 diabetes, and 13% experienced re-amputation within 36 months.
Lower-extremity amputation remains a preventable complication; improved diabetes control and access to early, multidisciplinary foot care are critical to further reduce avoidable limb loss in Switzerland.

PMID:
42656925
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 27 Aug 2026.

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