在台灣提供義肢製作與相關服務也有許多年時間，本研究旨在對於臺灣的截肢病患在年齡、性別、截肢原因及部位的情況提供相關訊息。所收集的樣本為從1995至2000年期間於台中市立復健醫院接受義肢製作服務的截肢病患，男性有321位，女性有178位，共499位截肢患者，其均年齡為48.7±23.0歲，其中下肢截肢患者佔379位(76.0%)，上肢截肢患者佔120位(24.0%)。最常見的截肢部位為膝下截肢佔46.3%，其次為膝上截肢(25.5%)，及肘下截肢(9.6%)。造成截肢的原因多數為外傷性截肢(n=241，44.1%)，先天性缺損(n=29，5.8%)，及惡性腫瘤(n=9，1.8%)。本研究發現造成下肢截肢的原因中，外傷與血管疾病比為0.65(142比219)，因疾病而造成下肢截肢的患者有增加的趨勢，而其中絕大多數是因糖尿病合併血管疾病而導致的截肢(n=208，95%)。因糖尿病會加速周邊血管阻塞及惡化情形，故良好的糖尿病情控制，衛生教育及感染防治將可有效的避免造成患者需接受下肢截肢的情形發生。
This study evaluates details concerning amputees in Taiwan, including cause for prosthetic treatment. Data is specific to the west central region, in particular the Rehabilitation .Hospital located in Taichung City. Patient case studies cover the period from 1995 to 2000. The target group totals 499 patients (321-male; 178-female); with a mean age of 48.7 + 23.0 years. In all, 379 amputees (76.0%) had been fitted with lower limb prosthesis and 120 amputees (24.0%) had been fitted with upper limb prosthesis. Trauma was the major cause of amputation (n=241, 48.3%), followed by disease (n=220, 44.1%), congenital defect (n=29, 5.8%) and tumor (n=9, 1.8%); the ratio of trauma/disease was 0.65 (142 to 219). Data further indicates that amputations resulting from occlusive peripheral vascular disease have increased when compared with earlier survey studies, and most were due to diabetes mellitus (n=208, 95%). These findings suggest the need for aggressive treatment and a focused education program to reduce or even prevent cases of lower limb amputation. The current study provides a critical guideline for evaluating future needs in terms of personnel, facilities, programs and funding.
