To analyse risk factors for amputation in diabetic foot ulcers. We have studied 152 diabetic patients (in 14 food ulcers treatment was amputation) who were attendance between January 1996 and June 1998 in the diabetic foot Unit. Subjects with gangrene were excluded. Risk factors for amputation were: previous history of amputation (odds ratio 3.7; 1.0113.7), proliferative retinopathy, osteomielitis, and independently clinical signs of peripheral vasculopathy (7.1; 1.88-27.2) and severe infection (14.4; 2.92-71.2). Diabetic subjects with foot ulcers and previous history of amputation, proliferative retinopathy, osteomielitis, clinical signs of peripheral vasculopathy and/or severe infection were a high risk group for amputation and in this group aggressive therapeutical and preventive approaches should be done in order to prevent amputation.