Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Luo, Yi Xin
• Li, Li
• Mai, Li Fang
• Liu, Xing Zhou
• Yang, Chuan

Titel

Comparison of area measurement methods in the routine assessment of diabetic foot ulcers—A consistency analysis method

Ist Teil von

• International journal of nursing practice, 2023-02, Vol.29 (1), p.e13098-n/a

Ort / Verlag

Australia: Wiley Subscription Services, Inc

Erscheinungsjahr

2023

Quelle

Wiley-Blackwell Journals

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Background Ulcer area is a critical parameter in diabetic foot ulcer assessment but existing methods have deficiencies for routine measurement. Aim We hypothesized that the Image J‐based Computer Analysis method has a high level of agreement with the commonly used Maximum Length and Width and the Transparent Dressing‐based Square Grid methods and aimed to test the consistency and verify the feasibility of the Image J‐based Computer Analysis method in the routine assessment of ulcers. Methods Outpatient attendees with diabetic foot ulcers at the Department of Endocrinology of Sun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital were enrolled between October 2020 and October 2021. The three methods sequentially assessed the area of 65 included ulcers. Results were analysed using one‐way analysis of variance and Bland–Altman plots to perform consistency analysis. Results The mean ± standard deviation ulcer area measured using the three methods were 14.79 ± 5.39, 14.35 ± 5.26, and 14.30 ± 5.26 cm2, respectively. The measurement differences among the three groups or between any two were not statistically significant. Bland–Altman plots showed good consistency between the Image J‐based Computer Analysis and the other two methods. Conclusion The Image J‐based Computer Analysis method can be interchanged with the other methods to assess ulcer areas. It is freely accessible, accurate and home‐operable, thus worth consideration by nurses for routine ulcer area assessment. Summary statement What is already known about this topic? Ulcer area is a critical parameter in diabetic foot ulcer assessment, monitoring and for predicting the outcome of treatment efficacy. The Maximum Length and Width and the Transparent Dressing‐based Square Grid methods bear some deficiencies in daily ulcer area monitoring. What this paper adds? This study measured the area of diabetic foot ulcers using the Image J‐based Computer Analysis method and verified its consistency of measurement compared to current common methods, and its feasibility for routine assessment of ulcers. The implications of this paper: The Image J‐based Computer Analysis method is freely accessible, accurate and feasible for routine area assessment of diabetic foot wounds; the home measurable feature is especially applicable for patients with diabetic foot who need plantar decompression, rendering it a practical tool for home wound monitoring.