What percent of non-traumatic amputations in the United States occur in diabetic patients?

• A. 66%
• B. 25%
• C. 40%
• D. 75%

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that diabetes is the leading underlying cause of non-traumatic lower-extremity amputations in the United States. Chronic hyperglycemia leads to peripheral neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease, and impaired healing, all of which contribute to foot ulcers and infections that progress to amputation. Because of this combination, about two-thirds of non-traumatic amputations occur in diabetic patients, which is roughly 66%. That makes this option the best match to real-world data.

The other percentages are not aligned with how often diabetes drives non-traumatic amputations: they’re either too low or too high given the well-established link between diabetic foot disease and limb loss.