The Alarming Rise of Diabetes-Related Amputations in Costa Rica

A Growing Health Crisis

Costa Rica is facing a severe health challenge as diabetes-related complications, particularly amputations, are on the rise. Between 2018 and 2022, a disturbing number of 3,571 amputation cases have been reported, underscoring the need for increased awareness and prevention measures.

2022: A Year of Unprecedented Amputation Cases

The year 2022 marked a worrying milestone as it recorded the highest number of diabetes-related amputations since 2018, with 833 cases. This surge in amputations reflects the growing impact of poorly managed diabetes on the population’s health.

The Prevalence of Lower Limb Amputations

During the five-year period, approximately 63% of the amputations were of a lower limb, whether a toe or foot. The province of Limón reported the highest rate, with 48.61 diabetic amputees per 100,000 inhabitants, significantly higher than the national rate of 15.98.

Epidemiological Insights from Dr. Ronald Evans Meza

Epidemiologist Dr. Ronald Evans Meza, who coordinated the study, pointed out that diabetes ranks as the sixth leading cause of death and the seventh in years of life lost prematurely in the Americas, according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

Diabetes: A Leading Cause of Death in the Region

In countries like Mexico, diabetes tops the list of mortality causes, accounting for half of the premature deaths in the region. Globally, 1.5 million people died from diabetes, with 244,084 of these deaths occurring in the Americas. This data is particularly significant given the global observance of World Diabetes Day on November 14th.

Rising Death Toll in Costa Rica

From 2000 to 2022, Costa Rica recorded 21,061 deaths due to diabetes, with 9,278 of these occurring in the last five years. The highest mortality rate was reported in 2020, with 44.8 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, while the lowest was in 2018.

Gender Disparities in Diabetes Mortality

Although women have historically been more affected by diabetes-related deaths, recent years have seen this gap narrowing. In 2019, men accounted for 46% of diabetes deaths, but by 2020 and 2021, the mortality rate was evenly split between the sexes.

Guanacaste: A Hotspot for Diabetes Mortality

Guanacaste emerged as the province with the highest diabetes mortality rate, followed by Limón, Alajuela, and Cartago. Lower mortality rates were recorded in San José, Heredia, and Puntarenas.

Diabetes and Healthcare Utilization

Over the past five years, there have been more than 4.2 million diabetes-related healthcare visits. The COVID-19 pandemic led to a decline in these visits, dropping from 883,304 in 2019 to 719,943 in the first pandemic year, before rebounding to 938,090 in 2021.

2022: A Year of High Demand for Diabetes Care

In 2022, Costa Rica’s healthcare system reported 956,383 diabetes consultations, the highest number since 2018. This averages to 79,699 patients per month, 2,657 patients per day, or 111 patients per hour.

Hospital Admissions and the Impact of COVID-19

Between 2018 and 2022, there were 19,264 hospital admissions for diabetes, with the highest number in 2021. This peak reflects the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on diabetes patients in Costa Rica.

A Call to Action

The rising number of diabetes-related amputations and deaths in Costa Rica calls for urgent action. Increased public awareness, better management of diabetes, and stronger prevention strategies are essential to mitigate this growing health crisis. As Costa Rica grapples with this challenge, it’s crucial to prioritize healthcare interventions and support for those living with diabetes.