Health-Related Quality of Life in Amputees With a Microprocessor-Controlled Prosthetic Knee Measured by the Eq-5d-5l

BACKGROUND: Enhancing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a fundamental objective of healthcare delivery. Individuals with amputation might encounter physical, psychological, and social challenges in daily life which might be influenced by the type of prosthetic knee provided. OBJECTIVE: To understand the experience-based HRQoL of amputees who were using a microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee (MPK). METHODOLOGY: Amputees using an MPK for at least 3 months (C-Leg or Genium/Genium X3) participated in an online survey. In 2022 1,868 MPK user were invited to participate in the study via both desktop and mobile platforms of a German manufacturer database. HRQoL was assessed with the EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) instrument. The data was analyzed descriptively and by measures of central tendency. FINDINGS: 512 participants (19.7% female, mean age 54 years (standard deviation 12.6)) responded and fully completed the EQ-5D-5L. The leading cause of amputation was trauma (56.1%), followed by tumor (15.6%) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD, 11.3%). 18.2% reported being completely problem-free. 2.9% had a hip disarticulation, 68.0% a transfemoral amputation, 26.6% a knee disarticulation and 2.5% a bilateral amputation. The share of “no problems” was 53.3% for mobility, 88.1% for self-care, 61.5% for usual activities, 25.0% for pain or discomfort, and 67.4% for anxiety/depression. The total mean index score based on the German value set was 0.84 (maximum score 1). The total mean visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 77.4 with variations observed for age and health status. CONCLUSION: Amputees with an MPK experienced very few issues in the self-care dimension but faced more challenges in the pain/discomfort and mobility dimensions. Utilities were similar to the general German norm reporting one medical condition. MPKs enable individuals to achieve quality of life outcomes that are comparable to those observed in the general population. Layman's Abstract We wanted to learn how amputees who use a special prosthetic knee controlled by a microprocessor (“MPK”) in their prosthesis feel about their quality of life. In 2022, 1,868 people who use an MPK from a German manufacturer were invited to take part in an online survey. About one in five participants (19.7%) were women. Most respondents had an above-the-knee amputation (68.0%), while about a quarter had a knee disarticulation (26.6%). A small number had a hip disarticulation (2.9%) or amputations on both sides (2.5%). A tool known as the EQ-5D-5L was used to measure their quality of life. Answers were evaluated descriptively and to identify patterns. A total of 512 people with an average age around 54 years responded to the quality-of-life questionnaires. Most of them lost their limbs due to an accident. About 18% of them said they had no problems at all. The most common problems they faced were related to pain, discomfort, and mobility. On average, their quality-of-life score was 0.84 out of a maximum of 1, where 1 means perfect health. This score is similar to what people in Germany with one chronic medical condition typically report. People using an MPK generally have few problems taking care of themselves but struggle more with pain and moving around. Their overall quality of life is similar as that of the general German population. MPKs enable individuals to achieve quality of life outcomes that are comparable to those observed in the general population. Article PDF Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/46403/34874 How To Cite: Brüggenjürgen B, Kannenberg A, Stukenborg-Colsman C, Hahn A. Health-related quality of life in amputees with a microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee measured by the EQ-5D-5L. Canadian Prosthetics Volume 9, Issue 1, No. 4. https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v9i1.46403 Corresponding Author: Prof. Dr. med. Bernd Brüggenjürgen, MPHAffiliation: Institute for Health Services Research and Technical Orthopedics, Orthopedic Department - Medical School Hannover (MHH) at DIAKOVERE Annastift Hospital, Hannover, Germany.E-Mail: brueggenjuergen.bernd@mh-hannover.deORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8866-0809