Graphic representation of data resulting from measurement comparison trials in cataract and refractive surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The evaluation of new diagnostic measurement devices allows intraindividual comparison with an established standard method. However, reports in journal articles often omit the adequate incorporation of the intraindividual design into the graphic representation.


METHODS
This article illustrates the drawbacks and the possible erroneous conclusions caused by this misleading practice in terms of recent method comparison data resulting from axial length measurement in 220 consecutive patients by both applanation ultrasound and partial coherence interferometry.


RESULTS
Graphic representation of such method comparison data should be based on boxplots for intraindividual differences or on Bland-Altman plots. Otherwise, severe deviations between the measurement devices could be erroneously ignored and false-positive conclusions on the concordance of the instruments could result.


CONCLUSIONS
Graphic representation of method comparison data should sensitively incorporate the underlying study design for intraindividual comparison.
Krummenauer
Frank
F
Department for Medical Biometry, Epidemiology and Informatics, Mainz University School of Medicine, Germany.
Storkebaum
Kristin
K
Dick
H Burkhard
HB
D002386:Cataract / Q000473:pathology; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D003196:Computer Graphics; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003941:Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological / Q000592:standards; D005123:Eye / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007368:Interferometry; D008027:Light; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012030:Refractive Errors / Q000473:pathology; D054140:Refractive Surgical Procedures; D014463:Ultrasonography