Sinha R, Van Den Heuvel WJ, et al.
Disability and rehabilitation. Date of publication 2011 Jan 1;volume 33(11):883-99.
1. Disabil Rehabil. 2011;33(11):883-99. doi: 10.3109/09638288.2010.514646. Epub 2010
Sep 9.
A systematic literature review of quality of life in lower limb amputees.
Sinha R(1), Van Den Heuvel WJ.
Author information:
(1)Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht,
The Netherlands. r.sinha@student.unimaas.nl
PURPOSE: To systematically review studies on quality of life (QoL) in lower limb
amputees.
METHOD: Computerised literature search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, PUBMED and PsycINFO
databases was performed using the keywords, amputee, leg, knee, foot, amputation,
QoL, prosthesis, orthopaedic equipment, ADL, phantom, mobility, rehabilitation,
psychosocial, psychology and social. Eligible studies published from database
inception through March 2009 were selected. The study was included if (1) the
study population comprised of adolescent and adult lower-limb amputees as a group
or a sub-group, and had ten or more subjects; (2) the study involved subjective
assessment of QoL or self-appraisal of life or satisfaction with life; (3) the
study was an empirical research study and (4) at least one of the study outcomes
was QoL or self-appreciation of life, and QoL results were presented. The
selected articles were assessed for study quality based on a standardised set of
19 criteria. The criteria list was pilot-tested for applicability and
operationalisation by the authors. Objectives, study population description, QoL
instruments used and study outcomes were summarised for the included studies.
RESULTS: Twenty-six articles met the inclusion criteria. Fifteen studies were
cross-sectional, four prospective, six retrospective and one mixed study-design.
The studies were found to be heterogeneous with respect to the study objectives
and instruments used to assess QoL. The summary quality score was 50% or more for
ten studies, with the maximum being 81%.
CONCLUSIONS: Lacunas were found in the methodological and study population
characteristics of most of the studies. Prospective longitudinal studies are
envisaged to systematically study the events following amputation, and the change
in QoL over time. To enable this, amputee specific standardised and validated QoL
instruments are needed to capture the multitude of facets influencing QoL in
amputees, and thereby, facilitating direct comparison across studies.
DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2010.514646
PMID: 20825359 [Indexed for MEDLINE]
