health-related quality of life, anxiety, and depression after below-knee amputation in diabetic foot patients: a cross-sectional study

Background :diabetic foot disease often leads to below-knee amputation (bka), with substantial consequences for health-related quality of life (hrqol). identifying associated psychological and sociodemographic factors is crucial for optimizing post-operative care. objectives :to assess hrqol, anxiety, and depression among diabetic foot patients following bka, and explore their associations with sociodemographic factors. methods :a cross-sectional study was conducted among 112 amputated patients admitted to firoozgar hospital (tehran) between 2022 and early 2023. participants completed the short form health survey (sf-36) and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (hads). variables assessed included age, sex, education level, income, and history of surgical site infection (ssi). statistical analyses involved descriptive and inferential methods. results :higher educational levels were significantly associated with improved sf-36 scores (p < 0.05) and lower hads anxiety/depression levels (p < 0.05). older age showed negative correlations with physical functioning (r = -0.72, p < 0.001) and general health (r = -0.03, p = 0.790). while most hrqol differences between sexes were statistically non-significant, female participants reported slightly lower scores in vitality, general health, and emotional role domains. the presence of ssi tended to lower physical functioning scores, though differences did not reach statistical significance. conclusions :age and education significantly influence post-amputation hrqol. these findings underscore the need for tailored psychosocial support and rehabilitation strategies targeting vulnerable subgroups.