Traumatic limb amputations and subsequent mortality from cardiovascular disease and other causes

Abstract-Men drafted into the Army, hospitalized during 19441945 for service-connected trauma to the extremities, and consequently separated for disability were followed for mortality from January 1946 to April 1977. Three groups were established consisting of those whose injury resulted in: (a) limb amputation; (b) disfigurement without loss of body part; (c) loss of part of hand or part of foot. Group (a) had a mortality, standardized for age and calendar time, 1.4 times that of group (b), matched on age and length of service at admission, and 1.3 times that of group (c). similar in age and length of service to group (a). The excess mortality of limb amputees was statistically significant (p < 0.05) for ischemic heart disease, other diseases of the cardiovascular system, suicide by poisoning, alcoholic cirrhosis and acute pancreatitis. There was also a questionable (p < 0.1) increase in the risk of diabetes and cancer of the buccal cavity and pharynx