Important work from the pride of Morgantown and Montreal, Dr. Samantha Minc.
Geographic variation in amputation rates among patients with diabetes and/or peripheral arterial disease in the rural state of West Virginia identifies areas for improved care
ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS
Type of Research: Retrospective analysis of the West Virginia Healthcare Authority State Inpatient Database (2011-2016)
Key Findings: The prevalence of amputation in West Virginia was 12.35 per 1000 (2011-2016). Advanced geographic analyses indicated increased risk of amputation in the central and northeastern regions of West Virginia at the county level. Zip code-level patterns of amputation varied, with high-risk areas identified primarily in the northeastern and south central regions of the state.
Take Home Message: West Virginians have a high prevalence of amputation, and there is significant geographic variation in amputation risk across the state. Advanced hierarchical spatial modeling methods are key for providing high-resolution spatial data on health outcomes like amputation, particularly in rural environments.
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