Comparing a supine radiologic versus standing clinical measurement of kyphosis in older women: the Fracture Intervention Trial.
METHODS
A study of agreement between different measures of kyphosis, a clinical standing measure (Debrunner kyphometer; Protek AG, Bern, Switzerland) versus a supine radiologic measure (Cobb angle).


OBJECTIVE
To determine whether a supine radiologic measure of kyphosis in older women is a reasonable estimate of clinical kyphosis determined in the standing position, and to investigate a computerized assessment of the Cobb angle.


BACKGROUND
Few studies have investigated kyphosis measurement agreement involving older adults.


METHODS
Using data from the Fracture Intervention Trial, we randomly selected 120 women, aged 55-80 years, who had a Debrunner kyphometer measure of kyphosis and supine lateral spine radiographs from which we measured the Cobb angle (either manually or by digitization). We calculated the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) from repeated measures analysis of variance to assess the agreement among the: (1) manual Cobb angle and Debrunner kyphometer, (2) digitized Cobb angle and Debrunner kyphometer, and (3) manual and digitized Cobb angle.


RESULTS
The mean of both the manual and digitized Cobb angle was 45 degrees (range 18 degrees-83 degrees), and the mean Debrunner kyphometer reading was 48 degrees (range 17 degrees-83 degrees). The ICC between either of the 2 measures of the Cobb angle and Debrunner measurement was 0.68, indicating reasonable agreement. The ICC between the manual and digitized Cobb angle was 0.99, indicating excellent agreement.


CONCLUSIONS
There is reasonable agreement between a supine radiologic and standing clinical measurement of kyphosis in older women.
Kado
Deborah M
DM
Division of Geriatrics, Department of Medicine, The David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. dkado@mednet.ucla.edu
Christianson
Lisa
L
Palermo
Lisa
L
Smith-Bindman
Rebecca
R
Cummings
Steven R
SR
Greendale
Gail A
GA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D007738:Kyphosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011859:Radiography; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013131:Spine / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016683:Supine Position