[Reliability of transcutaneous measurement of oxygen tension on the lower leg].
OBJECTIVE
Measurement of transcutaneous oxygen tension is increasingly used to determine the appropriate level of amputation in patients with vascular disease. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the intra- and interrater reliability of transcutaneous oxygen [tcpO (2)] measurements in a homogeneous study group.


METHODS
Five investigators assessed the transcutaneous oxygen tension of both lower legs of seven persons in a fixed setting. Assessment was repeated with the same examiners and the same examinees after 24 hours. TcpO (2) was measured at the posterior aspect of the lower leg twenty centimeters below the knee joint line. The TCM 400 Monitoring System (Radiometer Medical AIS, Bronshoj, Denmark) was used. Statistical analysis of the intra- and interrater reliability was performed with the Spearman coefficient of correlation.


RESULTS
An overall mean of 56.2 +/- 10.6 mmHg was found. For the first examination, a mean of 55.3 +/- 10.6 mmHg was observed, whereas for the second examination it was 57.0 +/- 10.5 mmHg. Analysis of intrarater reliability showed a coefficient of correlation of r (s) = 0.56 (p < 0.0001). For interrater reliability, we found coefficients of correlation ranging from r (s) = 0.20 (p = 0.20) to r (s) = 0.69 (p = 0.0004).


CONCLUSIONS
Analysis of transcutaneous oxygen tension measurements performed by different investigators in a fixed setting revealed a non- homogeneous intra- and interrater reliability, which should be taken into account prior to initiating therapy.
Käfer
W
W
Orthopädische Klinik mit Querschnittgelähmtenzentrum der Universität Ulm.
Kinkel
S
S
Fraitzl
C R
CR
Clessienne
C B
CB
Puhl
W
W
Huch
K
K
D000328:Adult; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D001785:Blood Gas Monitoring, Transcutaneous / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D011379:Prognosis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D010100:Oxygen