Intervention Program Concerning Quality of Life of Diabetic Patients with Lower Limb Prosthesis

Abstract

Diabetes and associated amputation are major challenges that threaten patient’s quality of life (QoL). Well-fitting prosthesis is considered a turning point in restoring the amputee's life through improving physical functioning, body image, work capacity, and social participation. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of an intervention program on quality of life of diabetic patients with lower limb prosthesis. A quasi experimental design was utilized to meet the aim of the study. The study was conducted on a purposive sample of 60 diabetic patients with lower limb prosthesis who were divided into study and control groups. The study was conducted at Orthopaedic Industry Work Shop’s clinics that are affiliated to Agouza Rehabilitation & Rheumatology Center of the Army. Data were collected using 1) Interviewing Questionnaire including the following parts: A) Socio demographic characteristics, B) Patient’s clinical data sheet, C) Patients' level of knowledge regarding diabetes and prosthesis. 2) Quality of life of diabetic patients with prosthesis questionnaire. The result of this study showed that there were highly statistically significant differences between study and control groups post intervention regarding total knowledge and total dimensions of QoL. Besides, the majority of the study group had moderate level of QoL post intervention. This study concluded that the implementation of the intervention program had statistically positive effect on QoL dimensions of diabetic patients with lower limb prosthesis. This study recommended that designing a comprehensive nursing protocol focusing on liaison role of psychiatric nurse prior to prosthetic training to facilitate psychosocial adjustment among diabetic patients with lower limb prosthesis through providing care, support and guidance.