Amputations linked to diabetes leap by 25 per cent

AMPUTATIONS caused by diabetes have leapt in number as the UK struggles to cope with the obesity crisis.

Foot and leg amputations linked to the disease have risen to record levels – soaring by nearly a quarter in five years, according to Public Health England.

More than 176 amputations are taking place every week – the equivalent of more than one an hour. There were 27,465 diabetes-related lower limb amputations in the three years from 2015-16 to 2017-18, an increase of 24 per cent from 22,092 between 2010-11 and 2012-2013.

Health officials said it was a tragedy so many patients were facing life- changing surgery as a result of preventable ill-health. Nikki Joule, of Diabetes UK, said: ‘The rise of diabetes-related amputations could be curbed by ensuring all hospitals have a multi-disciplinary foot care team, proven to reduce amputations.’

She said NHS England had committed to doing this in its ‘Long Term Plan’, but stressed that one in five hospitals ‘still lack a foot care team and we hope this situation improves.’ Unhealed ulcers and foot infections are the leading cause of diabetesrelated amputations, with ulcers preceding more than 80 per cent of amputations. Someone with diabetes is 20 times more likely to have an amputation than someone without the condition.

Both type one and type two diabetes cause poor circulation because high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels. This affects how blood flows to the feet and legs.