106-OR: National Trends in Lower Extremity Amputation among U.S. Medicare Beneficiaries with Diabetes, 2000-2017

Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower extremity amputation (NLEA) in the United States. After a period of decline, some U.S. data show that diabetes-related NLEA has recently increased, particularly among young and middle-aged adults. However, the trend for older adults is less clear. To examine NLEA trends among older adults with diabetes (≥67 years), we used 100% Medicare claims for beneficiaries enrolled in Parts A and B during 2000-2017. NLEA was defined as the highest-level amputation per patient per calendar year. NLEA rates were stratified by sex, race and ethnicity, and NLEA level. All rates were age-sex standardized to the 2000 Medicare population. Trends over time were assessed using Joinpoint regression and annual percent change (APC) reported. NLEA rates (per 1,000 persons) halved from 8.5 in 2000 to 4.4 in 2009 (APC -7.9, p value Disclosure J. Harding: None. L.J. Andes: None. D.B. Rolka: None. G. Imperatore: None. Y. Li: None. E. Gregg: None. A.L. Albright: None.