Lower extremity amputations - a review of global variability in incidence

To quantify global variation in the incidence of lower extremity amputations in light of the rising prevalence of diabetes mellitus.

An electronic search was performed using the EMBASE and MEDLINE databases from 1989 until 2010 for incidence of lower extremity amputation. The literature review conformed to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement standards.