Inter- and intra-observer variability of ultrasonographic arm muscle thickness measurement by critical care physicians.
J Postgrad Med 2019;
63:157-161. [PMID:
28272064 PMCID:
PMC5525479 DOI:
10.4103/0022-3859.201412]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to assess inter- and intra-observer variability of arm muscle thickness measured by critical care physicians using bedside ultrasonography (USG).
Methodology:
This prospective study included twenty patients admitted with sepsis. Three measurements of thickness of right arm muscles of each patient using B-mode USG were taken by two critical care fellows, independently. Intra- and inter-observer reliability was tested using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC).
Results:
The mean 1st, 2nd, and 3rd measurements of muscle thickness recorded by observer 1 and 2 were 23.620 (±4.171) versus 23.840 (±3.849) mm, 23.235 (±3.620) versus 23.625 (±4.062) mm, and 24.125 (±4.098) versus 23.965 (±3.651) mm, respectively. The average muscle thickness measured by first and second observer was 23.660 (±3.834) mm and 23.810 (±3.674) mm, respectively. ICC for intra-observer variability for observer 1 and 2 was 0.964 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.924–0.985) and 0.949 (95% CI 0.892–0.978), respectively. ICC for inter-observer variability was 0.995 (95% CI 0.988–0.998).
Conclusions:
USG is a reliable tool for assessment of arm muscle thickness by critical care physicians.
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