Phantom sensation and quality of life among patients with lower-limb amputations in the region of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais: a cross-sectional study

An amputation is an irreversible event that causes social, psychological, and functional consequences that reduces the quality of life of the amputee. Phantom pain generally is reported by 50 to 80% of amputees. OBJECTIVE: To describe the pain and phantom sensation and quality of life among lower-limb amputees. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in the region of Juiz de Fora, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Inclusion criteria were being a patient in one of two hospitals in the region at the time of the interview and having at least one lower-limb amputation. A total of 20 amputees were included in the analysis. The interview questionnaire had items adapted from the Groningen Questionnaire Problems After Leg Amputation - describing the frequency and discomfort of phantom pain and sensation, causes and the level of the amputation, as well as the WHOQOL-BREF, for assessing quality of life. RESULTS: Most participants were women (55%) and had a mean age of 55.6 years (SD=14.8). Femoral amputation was the most prevalent (65%), and diabetes (40%) was the main reason for amputation. 29% of amputees classified the phantom pain as moderate or severe, and 15% claimed daily frequency of this phenomenon. As for phantom pain, only 6% stated daily frequency. The mean quality of life was 4.1 (SD=1.1, five score means very satisfied), the physical domain of quality of life had the lowest mean (3.4, SD=0.7). CONCLUSIONS: Phantom sensation and pain were prevalent among lower-limb amputees who were, in general, less satisfied with their physical domain of quality of life.