ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to investigate the status and the life satisfaction of amputees from July 9, 2001 to August 18, 2001. Questionnaire survey was collected from lower extremity amputees using the services of prosthetic and orthotic centers in five Veterans Hospitals (Seoul, Busan, Gwangju, Daeku, and Daejun), Seoul Tehlin prosthetic and orthotic center, Chunan prosthetic and orthotic center, and Junju Lee Ganga rehabilitation institute. Amputees were grouped as trans-tibial amputees, trans-femoral amputees, and bilateral amputees based on amputationlevel. Demographic and social characteristics, performance of social role, and factors influencing life satisfaction revealed findings as follows: 1) The number of subjects voluntarily participated in the study was 113 (109 men, 4 women), and the mean age of subjects was 53.65 years (age range=22-74 years). 2) The time of amputation was at their second decade mostly (72.6%), and the most common etiology of amputation was trauma (91.2%). 3) The most common type ofamputation was trans-tibial amputation (59.3%). Subjects who were employed was 68.1% before amputation and 47.8% after amputation. Subject had income regardless of being employed or unemployed after amputation. 4) No significant difference was found between the scores of social role and the scores of life satisfaction in three groups(p<0.05). 5) The significant factors on life satisfaction was income status and occupational role among variables(p<0.05).