TY - JOUR
T1 - Reliability and accuracy of techniques for surface area measurements of wounds and scars
AU - van Zuijlen, Paul P M
AU - Angeles, Adam P
AU - Suijker, Monique H
AU - Kreis, Robert W
AU - Middelkoop, Esther
PY - 2004/3
Y1 - 2004/3
N2 - The applicability of simple methods to measure the size of pathological skin lesions for management and research has been poorly studied to date. The interobserver reliability and accuracy (validity) was established for planimetry by photography and planimetry by tracing on a transparent sheet in this study. Drawings of 25, 50, and 75 cm(2) were created on 3 locations with increasing curvature (back, thigh, and forearm) in 20 healthy volunteers. Three investigators evaluated the drawings by both planimetry techniques. Both techniques showed a good reliability (r >or= 0.82, intraclass correlation) for 25 cm(2) areas. Planimetry by photography was more reliable than planimetry by tracings for the 50 -and 75-cm(2) areas and was more accurate than planimetry by tracing for all areas except for the area with the greatest curvature, the forearm. The study permits the conclusion that planimetry by photography is more suitable for surface area measurements than planimetry by tracing except for extremely curved body parts, where it is likely that effects of distortion supervene.
AB - The applicability of simple methods to measure the size of pathological skin lesions for management and research has been poorly studied to date. The interobserver reliability and accuracy (validity) was established for planimetry by photography and planimetry by tracing on a transparent sheet in this study. Drawings of 25, 50, and 75 cm(2) were created on 3 locations with increasing curvature (back, thigh, and forearm) in 20 healthy volunteers. Three investigators evaluated the drawings by both planimetry techniques. Both techniques showed a good reliability (r >or= 0.82, intraclass correlation) for 25 cm(2) areas. Planimetry by photography was more reliable than planimetry by tracings for the 50 -and 75-cm(2) areas and was more accurate than planimetry by tracing for all areas except for the area with the greatest curvature, the forearm. The study permits the conclusion that planimetry by photography is more suitable for surface area measurements than planimetry by tracing except for extremely curved body parts, where it is likely that effects of distortion supervene.
U2 - 10.1177/1534734604263200
DO - 10.1177/1534734604263200
M3 - Article
C2 - 15866782
SN - 1534-7346
VL - 3
SP - 7
EP - 11
JO - The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds
JF - The International Journal of Lower Extremity Wounds
IS - 1
ER -