DOS 2016

112

· DOS Abstracts

Clinical validation of a handheld wound measurement device.

Measuring diabetic foot ulcers – a pilot study.

Halschou-Jensen Peter Max, Bouchelouche Pierre , Sauer Jannie,

Fabrin Jesper

Orthopaedic surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Køge; Clinical Biochemistry,

Zealand University Hospital, Køge; Orthopaedic surgery, Zealand University

Hospital, Køge; Orthopaedic surgery, Zealand University Hospital, Køge

Background:

There are about 300.000 diabetics in Denmark. Foot ulcers is

a major complication to diabetes and the risk of developing a foot ulcer is as

high as 25%. There is no standardized methods for measuring the size of these

wounds although several medical devises are used. However, none of these

produced results good enough to be useful. With a precise and reproducible

device, it will be possible to detect a progress in wound healing within a short

period of time. We used a special handheld digital 3D camera and software to

measure the wound size as part of a large double blinded randomised controlled

study. Our hypothesis is that oral vitamin D supplementation may improve heal-

ing in patients with chronic diabetic foot ulcers. We know that about 50% of the

general population has vitamin D insufficiency (<50 nmol/l) and that vitamin

D insufficiency is more common in diabetics and even more in diabetics with a

chronic foot ulcer.

Purpose / Aim of Study:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the precision

(intra- and interrater variability) and usability of a hand- held wound measure-

ment device.

Materials and Methods:

The study was an observational study where four

independent raters, three nurses and one doctor, assessed the dimensions of

5 wounds, 5 times. Giving 100 measurements. All the wounds were located on

the foot or ankle region and classified as chronic diabetic wounds.

Findings / Results:

The mean area of the five wounds were respectably 3.43

cm2, 1.28 cm2, 12.35 cm2, 5.10 cm2 and 12.65 cm2. Variances and coeffi-

cients of variation (CV) within raters (intrarater) and between raters (interrater)

over the five wounds for surface area was 2.28% and 4.33%.

Conclusions:

The device was found to have low intra- and interrater variation.

The photographic record and measurements can be collected in approximately

two minutes and in a non-contact fashion.

No conflicts of interest reported

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