Shocking Rise in Amputations Among COVID-19 Survivors Found in New Japanese Study!
Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team May 27, 2025 1 day, 14 hours, 31 minutes ago
Medical News: COVID19 Survivors Face Silent Threat to Their Limbs
A new large-scale Japanese study has uncovered a chilling reality—survivors of COVID-19 are facing a far higher risk of undergoing limb amputations compared to those who never contracted the virus. This groundbreaking research, conducted by experts from Hiroshima University Hospital, found that the increased risk persisted well beyond the initial infection phase, with some patients still facing elevated risks more than two years after recovery.
Shocking Rise in Amputations Among COVID-19 Survivors Found in New Japanese Study
The team of scientists—Daisuke Miyamori, Shuhei Yoshida, and Masanori Ito—from the Department of General Internal Medicine at Hiroshima University Hospital, analyzed data from over 3 million matched pairs in Japan's National Health Insurance Claims Database. This
Medical News report highlights how their results draw attention to a hidden consequence of the pandemic, raising urgent calls for long-term vascular monitoring in COVID-19 survivors.
A Nationwide Health Data Analysis with Shocking Findings
The study reviewed health records from more than 16 million individuals registered in Japan's national health system. Of these, over 6 million had confirmed COVID-19 diagnoses between January 2020 and December 2022. After careful matching based on age, sex, and comorbid conditions, researchers selected 3,098,948 individuals who had COVID-19 and paired them with the same number of individuals who never had the virus.
Over a median follow-up period of 7 months, 286 individuals in the COVID-19 group underwent amputations, compared to only 123 in the non-infected group. This translated to a more than twofold increase in amputation risk (Incidence Rate Ratio or IRR: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.88–2.90).
Even more disturbing was that the elevated risk remained consistent beyond two years post-infection (IRR: 2.03; 95% CI: 1.31–3.20). This indicates that SARS-CoV-2 might trigger long-term vascular problems that do not go away even after the body clears the virus.
Why Are COVID-19 Survivors at Risk of Amputation
Amputation is a drastic and life-altering medical procedure, often necessitated by conditions such as peripheral artery disease, diabetes, severe infections, or trauma. COVID-19’s known impact on the body’s blood clotting system and inflammatory pathways may explain the increased risk. The virus has been linked to the formation of dangerous clots in both arteries and veins, causing reduced blood supply to limbs—sometimes to the point where tissue death necessitates surgical removal.
In this study, researchers found that even people without classic high-risk conditions were not spared. However, the risks were far greater in individuals with existing chronic conditions. Those with a Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score of 2 or higher—a measure of underlying health problems—were found to have a significantly highe
r risk of amputation (IRR: 2.45) compared to those with low CCI scores.
Secondary Health Issues Point to a Bigger Problem
In addition to amputations, the study found a significantly elevated risk of other serious medical conditions associated with COVID-19. These included:
-Acute thrombosis (IRR: 1.32)
-Bedsores (IRR: 1.64)
-Diabetic foot complications (IRR: 1.27)
-Gangrene (IRR: 1.65)
-Necrotizing fasciitis (IRR: 1.46)
-Osteomyelitis or bone infections (IRR: 1.34)
-Peripheral artery disease (IRR: 1.10)
Each of these conditions alone can result in limb loss. Together, they paint a concerning picture of how COVID-19 continues to haunt survivors long after the initial fever and cough subside.
Even Younger and Non-Diabetic Individuals at Risk
One of the most surprising findings was that increased amputation risk was not confined to the elderly or those with diabetes. People between the ages of 20 and 64 had an IRR of 3.02 for amputation, and both men and women showed elevated risks.
Even among individuals without diabetes, the relative risk remained high (IRR: 2.96), pointing to COVID-19’s independent vascular damage potential. Subgroup analyses showed that the long-term health damage inflicted by SARS-CoV-2 affects a wide demographic, regardless of previous health status.
COVID-19 May Trigger Long-Term Vascular and Inflammatory Damage
What causes this delayed yet devastating effect? The authors suggest multiple contributing factors. COVID-19’s inflammatory response can damage blood vessels and impair healing. Long COVID-related chronic inflammation, autoimmune reactions, and clotting disorders likely play key roles.
Additionally, healthcare disruptions during the pandemic—missed doctor appointments, delayed treatment for chronic illnesses—may have compounded the problem. Some patients may have suffered worsening of peripheral vascular disease or diabetes complications, ultimately leading to amputation.
Moreover, previous studies have shown that COVID-19 survivors may face ongoing endothelial dysfunction, poor blood circulation, and tissue ischemia—all risk factors for losing limbs.
Implications for the Healthcare System and Public Health Policy
These findings suggest that the impact of COVID-19 extends far beyond the respiratory system and immediate recovery phase. There is now evidence that it increases the risk of major surgeries and permanent disabilities long after infection.
The study calls for the implementation of comprehensive screening programs for vascular health in COVID-19 survivors, particularly those with comorbidities. Health professionals should also be trained to look out for early signs of limb ischemia, gangrene, or diabetic foot complications in recovered patients.
Conclusion
This landmark study underscores a grim reality—COVID-19 leaves a long shadow. Even after recovery, survivors face elevated risks of irreversible medical outcomes like amputations. The findings show that the risk continues for at least two years post-infection, particularly among individuals with existing health conditions.
The research from Hiroshima University Hospital serves as a stark reminder of the lingering and often hidden dangers of this virus. The fact that amputations are increasing not only due to severe infection but also through long-term inflammatory and vascular damage calls for urgent action.
Healthcare systems around the world need to prepare for a new wave of post-COVID complications, including those requiring major surgical interventions. Public health messaging should emphasize the importance of monitoring vascular health and provide targeted support for at-risk individuals. Long COVID clinics must expand their scope to address vascular and limb health comprehensively.
Further research should also explore therapeutic options to reduce the risk of amputation in this vulnerable group, such as anti-inflammatory and blood-thinning medications, lifestyle interventions, and regular vascular assessments.
Failing to act now could mean that thousands more COVID-19 survivors will face not only the burden of chronic symptoms but the life-altering reality of limb loss. As we learn more about the long-term impact of the virus, it becomes clear that COVID-19 is not just a respiratory disease—it is a systemic illness with far-reaching and long-lasting consequences.
The study findings were published in the peer reviewed: Journal of Diabetes Investigation.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jdi.70078
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