Background: Patients with diabetic foot disease (DFD) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are at high risk of complications such as lower extremity amputation (LEA). Studies in the USA show certain groups are disproportionately affected. Data exploring these associations in the UK is limited and warrant further exploration. The UK Biobank provides an opportunity to investigate the influence of socioeconomic factors, race and gender on LEA rates.
Objectives: We aim to explore the complex interplay between gender, race, socioeconomic markers and the impact this may have on the risk of adverse outcomes including impaired mobility and LEA’s. This will allow assessment of trends within the UK versus those reported globally and identify high-risk groups.
Methods: UK Biobank data will explore three groups of patients – with PAD, with DFD and patients with PAD and DFD combined. The primary outcome will be the rate of major LEA.
Key exposures include:
* Sociological Factors: socioeconomic status, median household income, employment details, deprivation indices, educational attainment, parental education.
* Geographical data and postcode association
* Race: self-reported ethnicity.
* Clinical covariates: age, gender, comorbidities (e.g., diabetes, hypertension) and extent and number of amputations, mobility and quality of life indices.
